moved for leave to introduce Bill C-204, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer tax credit).
Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to table the volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer tax credit bill, which calls on the government to increase the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue responders.
Members may be surprised to hear that most firefighters in Canada are volunteers. Across our country, 100,000 volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers answer the call. They put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. They show up for wildfires, vehicle collisions, medical emergencies and more. While some volunteers receive an honorarium, they are not paid a living wage for their work.
In the last Parliament, thanks to the advocacy of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, people from hundreds of communities and the over 17,000 Canadians who signed petitions in support of my previous bill, Bill C-310, the tax credit was doubled from $3,000 to $6,000. However, that is not enough. Increasing the tax credit further would help compensate volunteers for expenses like gas and gear, as well as lost wages. It would also recognize the important contributions of these volunteers.
I extend my thanks to these everyday heroes for their sacrifice. I want to thank the member for Nunavut for seconding this bill, and I hope all members will support it.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
