Deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland visits Cainsville fire station, recognizes volunteer firefighters

Local Journalism Initiative
·1 min read

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland visited the Cainsville fire station on Wednesday to highlight the 2024 federal budget’s increased tax credit for volunteer firefighters.

The federal government has doubled the tax credit volunteer firefighters can claim, increasing it to $6,000, which could net them an extra $450 a year, Freeland told reporters following a tour of the station.

“I know that there are so many families in this community who have that tradition of supporting the community together as volunteers,” Freeland said.

“And so it seemed to us to be the ideal place to really recognize the courage, the commitment, the sacrifice of volunteer firefighters,” she added.

Brant County has close to 200 volunteer firefighters spread across eight stations. Many of these individuals have other careers.

Candidates are selected during an annual recruiting process, and undergo a year-long training process.

Celeste Percy-Beauregard’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report on stories about Brant County. Reach her at cpercybeauregard@torstar.ca.

Celeste Percy-Beauregard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator

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