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Stephen Lecce, MPP

Ontario Supporting Firefighters and Workers in South Stormont

MORRISBURG — The Ontario government is investing over $750,000 in South Stormont to deliver enhanced fire safety training for local firefighters and increase training capacity for workers and apprentices in the operating engineering trades.


“Our government is working with our local partners to deliver better training, so Ontarians can land better jobs with bigger paychecks. That includes today’s investment to modernize and expand IUOE’s training program, to equip the next generation of operating engineers with the skills and experience we need to build Ontario’s bright future,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Here in eastern Ontario and across the province, firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our communities, which is why we’re investing in enhanced fire safety training to ensure all local firefighters are serving at the highest safety standards. We’re proud to partner with the firefighting community to ensure these frontline heroes have the training and supports that they deserve, as we continue to serve those who serve.”


This includes investments through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) and Apprenticeship Capital Grant (ACG), including:


  • The Corporation of the Township of South Stormont: $140,623 through SDF for training to ensure all 69 local firefighters attain their National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 certifications. The training will include a combination of in-class and on-site training for fire and hazardous training, First Aid, and CPR, and other safety essentials.

  • The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Training Institute: $617,058 through ACG to increase and enhance local training and upskilling for apprentices and workers with the latest technology and equipment, including a new excavator. By being able to invest in the latest technology and equipment, IUOE will deliver modernized, cutting-edge training and upskilling for local apprentices and workers in Morrisburg, giving them the skills and experience they need to operate equipment that will become more industry prevalent in the coming years.


"Investing in our communities means investing in our future. With over $750,000 dedicated to training workers in South Stormont, we are not just enhancing skills; we are empowering lives,” said Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry. “By ensuring our firefighters are certified and our construction apprentices are equipped with the latest tools, we are building a safer, more skilled workforce ready to tackle the challenges ahead.”


The government continues to strengthen protections for firefighters across the province, including proposing legislative changes in Working for Workers Five, Act to expand presumptive coverage to firefighters and fire investigators for skin cancer and lower the service time required for firefighters to receive compensation from 15 to 10 years, bringing Ontario to the lowest required duration of service in the country.


In June 2023, Ontario expanded presumptive occupational cancer coverage for firefighters and fire investigators to include primary site thyroid and pancreatic cancers, making it faster and easier for them to access WSIB compensation and services. The government’s Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 lowered the required employment period for primary-site esophageal cancer from 25 to 15 years, the lowest duration of service in Canada.


October 11 is the deadline to apply for the government’s fifth round of SDF Training Stream, the largest round since the fund launched in 2021 with up to $260 million in available funding. With the fifth round of SDF Training Stream and the Capital Stream, this brings the government’s investment up to $1.4 billion to grow Ontario’s workforce for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.


Quick Facts


  • People interested in participating in the programs announced today should contact the lead organizations of the projects directly.

  • So far, the SDF Training Stream has supported projects aiming to help almost 600,000 people train for in-demand jobs, including:

    • Over 92,000 manufacturing workers

    • Over 60,000 construction workers

    • Over 36,000 PSWs and healthcare workers

  • October 11 at 11:59 p.m. EDT is the deadline to apply for SDF Training Stream Round 5, which opened on July 29, 2024. Interested organizations can apply through Transfer Payment Ontario and send inquiries to skillsdevelopmentfund@ontario.ca.

  • The Training Stream of SDF is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. As the Government of Canada has unilaterally cut over $230 million annually from Ontario’s Labour Market Transfer Agreements, which supports employment and settlement service programs, Ontario continues to call for the federal government to reinstate this critical funding for Ontario workers and jobseekers.


Quotes


"We’re thrilled to receive these resources through the Province’s Skills Development Fund to support South Stormont Fire and Rescue. These funds will ensure our great team of local firefighters are appropriately trained to service our community and keep our residents safe."


- Bryan McGillis

Mayor of the Township of South Stormont


"On behalf of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793, I would like to thank David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for the Ontario Government’s investment in apprenticeship training. The Apprenticeship Capital Grant assists the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario to obtain new equipment, which is relevant to the industry, to prepare the apprentices to meet the challenges in the workforce. As our trade has a large capital cost in training this funding greatly assists in keeping our training current."


- Mike Gallagher

Business Manager, IUOE, Local 793


"As the Construction and Mining sectors continue to expand, its important that Training Delivery Agents (TDA) stay relevant to the skills required in the workforce. The Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) applauds the Ontario Government and Minister Piccini’s investment in Skills Training. Given labour shortages in this trade and the evolving technology that continues to improve the efficiency of operators, obtaining an excavator with relevant practical attributes will improve the apprenticeship experience as well as employment opportunities of individuals completing the training program."


- Rick Kerr

Executive Director, OETIO


Additional Resources


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