moved for leave to introduce Bill C-215, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Employment Insurance Act (volunteer firefighters).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to reintroduce a bill that I introduced in the previous Parliament.
The purpose of the bill is to protect volunteer firefighters, who are key to many rural communities. Their decision to respond to a fire should not adversely affect their other job or their employment insurance benefits, if they are receiving any at the time.
My bill seeks not only to protect volunteer firefighters and our communities, but also to make it easier to recruit volunteer firefighters in our small communities.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)