December 16, 2024
Dear Senators,
Re: Support for Bill C-321 – Amending the Criminal Code to Address Assaults Against Healthcare Professionals and First Responders
On behalf of the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), I am writing to express our strong support for Bill C-321 and to respectfully request that it be placed on the Senate agenda for a Third Reading vote on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. We further urge you and your colleagues to vote in favour of this critical piece of legislation.
Bill C-321 seeks to amend the Criminal Code by establishing assaults against healthcare professionals and first responders as an aggravating circumstance during sentencing. This bill is a necessary step toward protecting those who serve our communities, often at great personal risk, and ensuring that violence against these essential workers is met with appropriate legal consequences.
Healthcare professionals and first responders—including paramedics, nurses, doctors, police officers, and firefighters—are integral to public safety and well-being. Yet, these individuals are increasingly subjected to violence while performing their vital duties. Bill C-321 rightly recognizes the unique vulnerability of these workers and the physical and psychological toll such assaults inflict.
By designating these attacks as an aggravating factor during sentencing, Bill C-321:
Acknowledges the seriousness of violence against frontline workers, underscoring the profound impact on their well-being.
Provides stronger protections for healthcare professionals and first responders, ensuring the justice system reflects our collective responsibility to safeguard those who serve and protect us.
Deters future violence, making it clear that assaults on these professionals will result in stricter penalties.
As a society, we must prioritize the safety and well-being of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and caring for others. Bill C-321 is a significant step in achieving this goal. Its passage will demonstrate our nation’s commitment to valuing and protecting healthcare professionals and first responders.
We respectfully urge you to ensure Bill C-321 is placed on the Senate agenda for a Third Reading vote on Tuesday, December 17, and to vote in favor of this vital legislation.
Thank you for your leadership and attention to this critical issue. We look forward to your support in advancing this bill and the positive impact it will have on those who selflessly serve our communities.
Yours Truly,
Todd Schierling, President
PER BC PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION