As wildfire season nears, critics say incentive for forest fire crews not enough
The upcoming wildfire season is expected to be another severe one — and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry recently announced an incentive program for fire rangers.
It will give lump sum payments of $5,000 to new and returning frontline crews this year.
The promise of a big one-time cheque to wildfire crews hopes to bring in new fire rangers and keep existing ones from leaving.
MNRF Minister Graydon Smith said it’s a solid incentive.
“I don’t think there’s anybody that would shy away from having an extra $5,000 in their pocket,” Smith said.
But critics said it’s hardly enough to entice people to risk their lives tackling increasingly severe fire seasons. Pushing for wage increases and workplace safety coverage, OPSEU scoffed at the program in a statement:
“Instead of … recognizing wildland fire workers for the work they do and compensating them properly or ensuring they have the coverage they need for the risks they face, this government is choosing PR stunts. They’re more concerned about suppressing criticism than protecting our air quality and human life.”
The upcoming wildfire season is expected to be another severe one — and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry recently announced an incentive program for fire rangers. It will give lump sum payments of $5,000 to new and returning frontline crews this year. (Photo from video)
Backing OPSEU, Northern New Democrat MPP Guy Bourgouin said if last year’s record fire season is any indication, the province will need a full complement of fire rangers.
He said a one-time pay bump won’t get the job done.
Competive labour market
“It’s already a competitive world out there when it comes to labour, and leaving the wages at $18 and just giving lump sums … doesn’t address it,” Bourgouin said.
“We need to fix this thing once and for all, long term, that we have the crews necessary (to) fight these fires. Because it will only get worse.”
Smith replied that the incentive is only for 2024 and that wage negotiations will happen later. He noted that the province moved around 100 temporary workers into full-time positions and said recruiting more fire rangers is a priority.
“We want to have a robust crew complement, here, in Ontario,” he said.
“Not only to help our communities, but also to help others.”
Bourgouin said there will be a meeting with the labour minister on Monday to discuss fire ranger protections.
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
CTV News contacted local union leaders, who told us they could no longer speak out, because of fear of reprisal by the ministry.
When asked about this, Smith said he aims to make sure his staff are comfortable speaking to media.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
What is 'slapped cheek disease' and should parents be concerned?
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.
Unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War heads back home from France after 100 years
Canadian soldiers and government officials arrived in northeastern France this week for a historic mission: returning an unknown Newfoundland soldier back home.
'I won't stop,' Celine Dion says in trailer for upcoming doc about her health woes
Celine Dion's fans are getting a first glimpse of the superstar's struggle with a rare neurological disorder in an emotional trailer for an upcoming documentary about her career and life.
Rapper Sean Kingston's home raided by SWAT; mother arrested on fraud and theft charges
A SWAT team raided rapper Sean Kingston's rented South Florida mansion on Thursday and arrested his mother on fraud and theft charges that an attorney says stem partly from the installation of a massive TV at the home.
Tim Meadows pledges not to shave until the Oilers win the cup, who are the team's other famous fans?
An unlikely celebrity emerged from social media to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers as they face the Dallas Stars tonight in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.