Armstrong council backs higher tax credit for volunteer firefighters

The City of Armstrong is supporting a petition aimed at increasing the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue personnel.

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) is pushing the federal government to boost the credit from the current $3,000 to $10,000 as part of Bill C-310, noting the current amount dates back to 2013 and has not kept up with the cost of living.

“Seventy-one (71) per cent of firefighters in the country are part-time; that’s more than 90,000 firefighters. This essential profession no longer attracts these valiant workers we desperately need, because of their low pay, if any,” the association said.

The CAFC said it’s only the firefighters’ passion to protect their communities that motivates them to join volunteer fire departments.