Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to table a petition submitted by the hard-working firefighters of IAFF Local 181 in Regina, Saskatchewan, addressing an urgent issue impacting the health and safety of firefighters across Canada. This petition, signed by 139 residents of Regina and Saskatchewan, calls for immediate action to ban PFAS in firefighter gear and firefighter foam.
PFAS chemicals, as we know, are man-made and 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 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, and 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 free from toxic chemicals. Let us protect those who risk their lives for us.