Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise here today to present a petition from 118 firefighters in British Columbia. This petition addresses an urgent issue impacting their health. I want to thank the member for New Westminster—Burnaby for sponsoring this petition. It calls for immediate action to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in firefighter gear and firefighting foam.
PFAS are man-made chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they build up in the environment and our bodies, and cause serious health issues. We have to help firefighters stay safe and healthy by regulating what we can control of their working conditions. Several countries have banned PFAS. Canada must follow suit. We have to protect those who risk their lives for us. This petition is asking for urgent action on this matter.