WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College has been in existence since 1949; and
WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College is one of the primary sources of certified training for Ontario Firefighters; and
WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College has built a reputation of integrity, credibility, and reliability in providing some of the best training to our Fire Services within the Province of Ontario; and
WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College has been used to train and certify both Volunteer, Part-Time and Career firefighters throughout Ontario; and
WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College gives Ontario Firefighters another option other than Regional Training Centers to obtain National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certifications; and
WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College is the most cost-effective method to certify Firefighters to NFPA Standards in Ontario; and
WHEREAS the Ontario Government enacted and revoked 0. Reg. 379/18: Firefighter Certification in 2018; and
WHEREAS when the Ontario Government revoked 0. Reg. 379/18: Firefighter Certification, it was made known by the Office of the Solicitor General that the act would be amended and brought back in the future; and
WHEREAS the Kingsville Fire Department has and would continue to use the services of the Ontario Fire College for its firefighter, specialty and senior officer training; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Kingsville request that the Province of Ontario reverse their decision to close the Ontario Fire College as the College is one of the best and most cost-effective methods for municipalities to train their firefighters which assists us in protecting our residents. Should the College continue to be closed as announced, that the Funds associated with the operation of the Fire College be retained for the exclusive use of the Ontario Fire Service to offset the financial impact of Fire fighter training; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this Resolution is forwarded to the Honourable Doug Ford Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Sylvia Jones; Ontario Solicitor General, the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ontario Fire Marshal; Jon Pegg, and all municipalities within the Province of Ontario.
KingsvilleWorks Summary Report
Councillor Lucier requested a KingsvilleWorks summary report be prepared for Council review. Director Plancke indicated he would provide the same, and Councillor Lucier, therefore, did not make a formal notice of motion.
Councillor Neufeld introduced a Notice of Motion, indicating that at the next Regular Meeting he may move or cause to have moved:
RE: Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms), specifically Amendment 26, Section (58.01 (1-8))
Whereas, municipalities have never been responsible for gun control laws in Canada;
Whereas, law abiding Kingsville residents who own legal handguns have already been thoroughly vetted through the CFSC, PAL and ATT applications;
Whereas, illegal gun owners and smugglers do not respect postal codes;
Whereas, if one municipality enacts a ban and not a neighbouring municipality, this will create a patchwork of bylaws;
Whereas, a municipal ban would be difficult to enforce and easy to get around.
Be it resolved that The Corporation of the Town of Kingsville is OPPOSED to the adoption of any bylaws restricting the possession, storage and transportation of legally obtained handguns.
Be it further resolved that this resolution be forwarded to the following public officials: MP Chris Lewis, Essex, MPP Taras Natyshak, Essex, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Doug Ford, Leader of the Official Opposition in Ontario, Andrea Horwath, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Justin Trudeau; Leader of Official Opposition, the Honourable Erin O’Toole; The Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, The Shadow Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness, MP Shannon Stubb; The Warden and Mayors of Essex County; and All Municipalities in the Province of Ontario.