Ontario Doubling Fire Protection Grant to Support Peterborough-Kawartha Firefighters

Media Release by Office of Dave Smith, MPP Peterborough-Kawartha:

Provincial investment of $20 million will enhance cancer prevention and emergency response

PETERBOROUGH — The Ontario government is doubling the total funding available for municipal fire departments this year to $20 million. Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha, announced that local fire services will receive a significant $316,565 portion of this investment to purchase life-saving equipment, enhance cancer prevention initiatives, and improve responses to lithium-ion battery incidents.

“Our firefighters are always there when we need them, running towards danger to protect our homes and our families,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “By doubling this year’s Fire Protection Grant, we are ensuring our local heroes have the specialized equipment and training they need to stay safe on the job and return home healthy to their families.”

The Fire Protection Grant is an application-based program that provides municipal fire services with the resources needed to address contemporary safety challenges. This year’s funding will benefit several municipal fire departments across the City and County of Peterborough, including:

Eligible projects under the 2025-26 grant cycle focus on three critical pillars: Cancer Prevention, including specialized gear decontamination units; Lithium-Ion Battery Response, providing tools for electric vehicle and electronics fires; and Infrastructure Modernization, such as high-speed broadband for rural fire halls.

This investment complements the Working for Workers Six Act, 2024, which recently lowered the service requirement for primary-site kidney cancer coverage for firefighters to 10 years—the lowest threshold in Canada.

Quotes

“Trent Lakes Fire Rescue would Like to thank the Ontario Government as well as the Honourable Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General for their continued support and commitment to the health and safety of our fire service.  TLFR has received a grant for the generous amount of $65,780 that will go towards Firefighter Safety and Cancer mitigation measures, secondly, thank you to M.P.P Smith for his involvement and support of our Firefighters health and wellbeing.  With the implementation of this grant, we are able to ensure our Firefighters are better protected while serving our community.”

-Steve Brockbank, Fire Chief, Trent Lakes Fire Rescue

“Protecting the health of our firefighters is one of our highest priorities,” said Gord Jopling, Fire Chief for the Selwyn Fire Department. “This funding enables us to invest in equipment that directly supports cancer prevention and ensures our crews health and safety is protected.”

-Gord Jopling, Fire Chief, Selwyn Fire Department

“The North Kawartha Fire Department appreciates the support provided through the Fire Protection Grant, which helps offset the cost of critical protective equipment. The new bunker gear will enhance firefighter safety and ensure our Fire Department continues to meet current safety standards. “

-Carolyn Amyotte, Mayor, North Kawartha

“This investment is a significant step forward in protecting the health and safety of our firefighters,” said Peterborough Fire Services Chief Chris Snetsinger.  “Firefighting is a demanding profession that carries real and lasting health and safety risks. This support recognizes the importance of doing everything we can to reduce those risks. Whether that’s limiting exposure to contaminants or improving protective equipment, investments in firefighter safety are investments in the well-being of our entire community.”

-Chris Snetsinger, Chief, Peterborough Fire Services

“As we are experiencing the loss of a firefighter brother from a workplace related cancer, the Government of Ontario’s financial support to reduce exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens really hits home for us. Thank you for your support of this essential investment in firefighter health and safety.”

-Chuck Pedersen, Chief, Douro-Dummer Fire Department

Quick Facts

• The Fire Protection Grant was originally launched in the 2024 Budget as a three-year commitment.
• Ontario is home to approximately 33,000 municipal firefighters.
• The funding increase from $10 million to $20 million for 2025-26 allows more small and mid-sized municipalities to access critical safety upgrades.

Media Contacts

Office of Dave Smith, MPP Peterborough-Kawartha
705-742-3777
dave.smithco@pc.ola.org