Forward Avenue Report |
Ottawa firefighters gathered at two locations in Ottawa, the Elmvale Acres Mall and Lincoln Fields Mall, to raise awareness and funds for Muscular Dystrophy. The day was a great success as people opened their hearts and wallets for a great cause. The firefighters were well represented from their newest recruit class who expect to graduate in mid-June. Lincoln Fields Total: $2340.00 Elmvale Acres Total: $2596.00 GRAND TOTAL: $5736.00 Thank your for giving hope to Canadians affected by Muscular Dystrophy! A Toronto Firefighter has died from Cancer, which firefighters believe is related to the numerous fires he fought, but which is not covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act under their presumptive legislation for firefighters. The Act recognizes eight cancers that are based on a number of criteria being met. Firefighters are seeking coverage for six additional forms of cancer based on current medical studies and the higher rate of cancer incidence compared to the general public. Currently, the Provincial Parties are mulling it over. For the family of deceased firefighter, Peter Czulinski, the onus of proof will be on them and their Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association advocates to prove that his cancer was related to the over 200 structure and car fires he fought in his career that emitted toxic smoke and burning chemicals. In an interim decision necessitated by the Employer’s inability to agree with the Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters’ Association on damages, HRTO Chair, Muir has found for the Association on their meritorious position of calculating gross-up for WSIA benefits and wages based on a 35-hour work week. The City had argued that the Chair could change the application of the original award on one hand despite the error noted, but he was ceased to follow an erroneous calculation on the other hand. They wanted it both ways and in denying the City’s position, he stated, “On these two points I agree with the applicant and disagree with the respondent’s characterization of the effect of my prior decision.” This now paves the way for discussions between the Parties surrounding Mr. Backs’ entitlement to a pension correction. The question to such entitlement is centered around whether Mr. Backs would have had a greater pension but for the Employer’s discrimination. The Association’s position is that Mr. Backs’ pension is substantially reduced as a result of the Employer’s discrimination. The Employer’s position is that his pension is exactly the same and that despite the fact that they have realized a substantial financial benefit through a waiver of OMERS premium due to Mr. Backs’ disability, they are entitled to it. The Association sees a moral and legal dilemma for the City on this point.
By Don Butler, The Ottawa Citizen March 8, 2012 Ottawa taxpayers are on the hook for what should be a six-figure settlement after a tribunal found that the city’s fire department unreasonably failed to accommodate a former employee hurt in a workplace accident in 2003. Capt. Peter McBride of the Ottawa Fire Service is a North American expert in wind-driven highrise fires, which are among the most complicated and dangerous events that firefighters face. He also wrote the Workers Report on the Forward Avenue fire, which has played a major role in modernizing Ottawa Fire Services.© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen Five years ago, on a cold February afternoon, a fire began in a townhouse complex on Forward Avenue...... 
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