Mr. Speaker, it is an honour today to table petition e-6745, which was signed by 747 Canadians.
Petitioners cite that Canada has around 3,200 fire departments, of which approximately 80% rely solely on volunteer firefighters; that the scale and complexity of events Canadian fire services are expected to respond to have increased dramatically in recent years, and that trend is anticipated to continue; that all levels of government in Canada are involved in aspects of fire and emergency management; that collaboration and strategic coordination are necessary to prepare for major emergencies and ensure efficient use of resources; and that there is a need to integrate a fire and emergency management perspective into policy and into decision-making for other issues, including but not limited to housing, green technology, transportation, tariffs, first responder mental health, and defence.
The petitioners call on the government to support motion M-12 to create an office of the national fire administration or a fire liaison. This is supported by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. I hope all members will support the petition.