Liberals pledge greater support for Canada’s public safety officers

April 27, 2015

OTTAWA – A future Liberal government will offer greater support to Canada’s public safety officers, said the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today, in a speech to the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Canadian Legislative Conference.

“The Liberal Party firmly believes that when fire fighters, police officers and paramedics put their own safety and security on the line, they are acting in service of all Canadians,” said Mr. Trudeau. “That is why I am announcing our plan to create a much-needed public safety officer compensation benefit of $300,000 to support these courageous women and men and their families.”

The public safety officer compensation benefit would be paid to the families of fire fighters, police officers and paramedics killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. In addition, a future Liberal government would immediately reinstate federal funding to Canada’s four Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) teams, which was cut by the Conservative government; and create a national action plan on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which disproportionately affects public safety officers. Mr. Trudeau also reaffirmed the Liberal Party’s commitment to repealing Conservative anti-union bills, C-377 and C-525, which are meant to diminish and weaken the labour movement in Canada.

“We ask public safety officers to stand in harm’s way to protect us and keep us safe,” said Mr. Trudeau. “They deserve nothing less than the highest level of support and care from a grateful country, and that is exactly what they will get from a Liberal government.”