Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister on delivering up to $450 more for Volunteer Firefighters and Search and Rescue

May 8, 2024 - County of Brant, ON

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I am so glad to be here in Cainsville, in Brant County. I do want to thank the Fire Chiefs who are with us: Paul Boissonneault [Fire Chief, Town of Oakville, and Secretary at Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs], Darren Watson [Fire Chief, County of Brant], and Brent Cain [Deputy Fire Chief, County of Brant].

I am so inspired by the work you do and by your fierce commitment to keeping Canadians safe, to keeping your friends and neighbours safe. Thank you so much for the incredibly important work you do. Thank you for the example you set for all of us. And I do want to say to all the firefighters and first responders across our great country—we are all so grateful to you.

Our budget is about ensuring fairness for every generation—especially younger Canadians.

Fighting climate change is one of the most important things we can do to make sure young people have a fair chance at a good middle class life. Because the cost of inaction today would be borne by them. And we will not leave them behind.

Last year, Canada faced the worst wildfire season on record, with over 15 million hectares burned—seven times the annual average. As climate change increases the number and severity of natural disasters like wildfires, our government is taking action to ensure firefighters and first responders across our great country have the support they need to help keep us all safe.

That’s why we are supporting Canada’s courageous first responders by doubling the Volunteer Firefighters and Search and Rescue Volunteers Tax Credits, from $3,000 to $6,000. This means volunteer firefighters will receive up to an additional $450 back on their taxes. And I hope that little bit of money back will help, but what I want to say above all to the incredible volunteer firefighters who are with us today, and to people like them who are serving across our country, this is also about recognizing your service. It’s also about all of Canada saying to you, “You are amazing—thank you very much.”

It’s also why, with this budget, we are providing $800,000 to continue to partner with the International Association of Fire Fighters. This funding will help to provide specialized training for modern wildfire scenarios—so that firefighters can do their essential work safely and effectively.

I’m going to conclude by sharing some good economic news from just a couple of days ago.

Moody’s, one of the leading credit ratings agencies, re-affirmed Canada’s triple-A credit rating with a stable outlook. Moody’s also predicts that, over the medium term, Canada will see more economic growth than some other triple-A economies and that inflation will be near the Bank of Canada’s midpoint target of two per cent.

This is a really powerful proof point which has a concrete meaning for every single Canadian. A triple-A credit rating means that Canada’s economy is strong and resilient. It means that our economic plan is fiscally responsible. It means we can afford to make the investments Canada needs and create the good jobs Canadians need. It means the federal government can responsibly invest and borrow at lower costs, as can other orders of government and Canadian businesses. 

Our government understands the importance of delivering a fiscally responsible economic plan that will help young Canadians. Because we know they are counting on us.

And let me just conclude by saying a final and very heartfelt thank you to the amazing firefighters—to the amazing volunteer firefighters—who are here with us today, and who serve across Canada.