Over $310,000 to Protect Local Firefighters

December 9, 2025

NIPISSING — Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is investing $311,298 to 10 local fire departments through the Fire Protection Grant to support cancer prevention initiatives. Funding, through the Fire Protection Grant, will be used to purchase equipment and make infrastructure upgrades to help reduce the long-term effects of exposure to fire-related contaminants and chemicals.

“The Fire Protection Grant will enable local fire departments implement cancer prevention measures,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “Our government is proud to support municipal fire services in Nipissing so that they may develop life saving initiatives and purchase necessary equipment to keep our community safe.”

“We thank the Province of Ontario and MPP Fedeli for this important support through the Fire Protection Grant. The dangers firefighters face aren’t just the flames in front of them; many of the risks are long-term and harder to see,” said Mayor Peter Chirico. “This funding helps ensure our firefighters have the equipment they need they need to stay safe while protecting our community.”

“On behalf of Callander Fire & Emergency Services, we thank the Province of Ontario and MPP Vic Fedeli for investing $36,223.56 in the Municipality of Callander through the Fire Protection Grant. This funding will allow us to purchase an air compressor to refill our SCBA cylinders on site, an important cancer prevention measure that lets our firefighters train ‘on air’ and quickly replenish bottles during and after incidents. The result is safer volunteer firefighters and better service to our community.” – Todd Daley, Fire Chief, CEMC, Callander Fire & Emergency Services.

“The $36,223.56 to renovate Station 2, the HRV will supply fresh air to the bunker room, and the new shower and bathroom will be a great benefit in removing cancer causing contaminates.”- Peter McLsaac, Mayor of Powassan.

Local firs departments receiving funding include:

$69,418 to the City of North Bay
$36,223 to the Municipality of Powassan
$36,223 the Municipality of Callander
$36,223 to the Municipality of East Ferris
$32,890 to the Township of Nipissing
$25 ,458 to the Township of Bonfield
$19,626 to the Township of Calvin
$19,626 to the Township of Mattawa
$18,901 to the Township of Papineau-Cameron
$16,707 to the Township of Chisholm

The Fire Protection Grant was announced in the governments 2024 budget and will be awarded over three years. The program is designed to support cancer prevention efforts made by municipal fire departments across Ontario.

For the 2025-26 year, the programs funding has been increased by $10 million, bringing the total available funding to $20 million. Ontario will continue to support firefighters and the important role that they play in the safety and wellbeing of our communities.

QUICK FACTS

· Ontario’s Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 improved cancer coverage for firefighters, investigators, and volunteers by removing the requirement that a firefighter’s primary-site colorectal diagnosis must be made before the age of 61 and lowering the required duration of service for primary-site kidney cancer care coverage from 20 to 10 years, which is the lowest duration of service in Canada.
· Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Firefighter’s Cancer Prevention Checklist to help prioritize their municipality’s needs and guide the development of their application. As the checklist will be used during the application review process, it is a valuable resource to consult when preparing submissions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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