Mr. Speaker, I am also rising to present a petition from firefighters. It was submitted by firefighters from Vancouver IAFF Local 18, but this is an issue that affects firefighters from coast to coast to coast, including in my riding of Cowichan—Malahat—Langford.
This petition addresses an urgent issue impacting the health and safety of firefighters across Canada. It was sponsored by my colleague for New Westminster—Burnaby, and it calls for immediate action to ban PFAS in firefighting gear and firefighting foam. These substances are man-made chemicals that are resistant to heat, water and oil, but their durability comes at a significant cost. Scientific evidence links these substances to severe health risks, including cancer, putting our firefighters at greater risk. They already face hazardous conditions.
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 must mitigate these risks by regulating what we can control in their working conditions. Several countries have restricted PFAS use. Canada must follow suit. Our firefighters deserve gear that is free from toxic chemicals.
This is what the petitioners are asking for, and I hope the government respects their wishes.