Reaction mixed as Ontario pledges $5M to retain forest fire workers

The Ontario government has taken a multi-million-dollar step to address concerns in the ministry’s Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services program ahead of the 2024 wildfire season.

In an effort to solve their retention and attraction issues, the government's investment includes a one-time payment of up to $5,000 to employees in front-line fire, aviation and critical support positions for 2024.Additionally, AFFES support staff not employed on the front lines will receive a one-time payment of up to $1,000. More than 100 permanent positions in the program will also be created to combat the demand.

Addressing their thoughts in a fiery press release yesterday, OPSEU called the government’s one-time bonus a “drop in the bucket” that won’t fix “the dire and ongoing crisis.” The union told SooToday earlier this month that most of this year’s crews have a combined experience of ten years or less, when many crews had 50 years of experience two decades ago.

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