The BCPFFA, alongside with IAFF 323 Burnaby, 256 New Westminster, 1782 Coquitlam and the IAFF Canadian Office have been working with NDP MP Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby) on an online petition that would call on the federal government to ban Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from turnout gear and fire suppression foam.
Removing PFAS from turnout gear and firefighting foams is one of our key legislative issues. To highlight this issue and elicit an official response from the federal government, MP Julian has offered to sponsor a petition outlining our ask.
With just 25 signatures for a paper petition or 500 signatures for an e-petition, the sponsoring MP has the opportunity to table the petition and speak on the issue in the House of Commons.
We encourage you to support the effort by participating via the following options:
Online Petition: [En e-Petition] [Fr e-Petition] - This online petition is an useful tool for spreading awareness to your members, families & friends and the public about the dangers of PFAS and how it is linked to cancer and other serious health effects. You may choose to post the link on your social media to boost participation. The online petition will be active for 120 days. E-petitions require at least 500 signatures to be certified and presented in the House of Commons. Paper petitions require at least 25 signatures for certification.
Paper Petition: The attached paper petition is ideal for gathering signatures at local events like upcoming Canada Day celebrations and BBQs.. Once you have collected 25 signatures or more, Mail the original copy to MP Peter Julian's office (postage-free): Suite 203, Wellington Building House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
Initiated by President Todd Schierling, BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association
Sponsored by MP Peter Julian
A CALL TO BAN PFAS (PER – AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES
We, the undersigned Citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons
WHEREAS, Health Canada’s State of PFAS Report and Risk Management Report have called for the reduction and prohibition of all forms of PFAS (Per – and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) due to their severe environmental and human health impacts, including effects on the immune and nervous systems, liver, kidney, thyroid, as well as development and reproductive systems, and can cause significant danger to the environment or to human life or health;
WHEREAS, it’s well known and documented that fire fighters contract cancer and other diseases at higher rates than the general public due to the toxic exposures they experience in the course of their duties. As a result, firefighting practices emphasize proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage, decontamination protocols and other measures designed to minimize exposure to carcinogens present in combusted materials.
WHEREAS, it has now been determined that for many decades, fire fighters have been regularly exposed to dangerous chemicals from the very things they use to carry out their duties: the coats and pants that make up their firefighting protective gear contain high concentrations of toxic chemicals called PFAS for the primary purpose of repelling water and oil. Fire fighters are also exposed to PFAS in aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) that are used as extinguishing agents at some airports and military facilities across Canada.
THEREFORE, your petitioners call on the Government of Canada, to
(a) amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to prohibit the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale or import of PFAS (per –
and polyfluoroalkyl substances);
(b) amend the Canada Labour Code to provide that an employer who employs firefighters must ensure that they are provided with personal protective equipment and fire suppression foam that do not contain any detectable levels of PFAS (per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances);
(c) amend the definition of firefighter in the Subsection 125 (1) of the Canada Labour Code as follows:
1. “firefighter” means a person regularly employed in, or appointed to, a fire department, fire marshal’s office, private fire contractor, seasonal private or public fire service, or band council, and assigned to undertake fire protection services for an employer; also, “pompier”
-Including those who carry out fire suppression duties, whether or not those duties include the performance of other emergency services; or
-Including those who carry out investigation duties respecting the cause, origin or circumstances of a fire;
(d) work with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous and community-based organizations to put into place a timeline and cost- sharing model to phase out firefighters’ personal protective equipment and fire suppression foam that contain any detectable levels of PFAS.
*Definition of PFAS will conform to the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 5987 – The PFAS Definition Improvement Act) in November 2021 to amend Section 8(a)(7) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2607(a)(7)) inserted the phrase “that contains at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom,” after “perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance”. This definition and other definitions have been used by both different regulatory authorizations and other organizations across various international jurisdictions.