Mr. Speaker, I rise to table a petition submitted by hard-working firefighters from Burnaby IAFF Local 323 and Vancouver IAFF Local 18 along with 220 petitioners. This petition addresses an urgent issue impacting the health and safety of firefighters across Canada. I have sponsored this petition. It calls for immediate action to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, in firefighter gear and firefighting foam.
PFAS are man-made chemicals that are resistant to heat, water and oil. Their durability comes at a significant cost. Scientific evidence links these substances to severe health risks, including cancer, putting firefighters, who already face hazardous conditions, at greater risk. Research shows that PFAS can accumulate in the body, leading to serious health issues. Alarmingly, firefighters face a higher cancer risk than the general population.
We have to mitigate these risks by regulating what we can control in their working conditions. Several countries have restricted PFAS use. Canada must follow suit. According to these petitioners, our firefighters deserve gear free from toxic chemicals. Let us protect those firefighters who risk their lives for us.