Hampton urges Premier to resolve strike as forest fire conditions worsen

Howard Hampton, MPP Kenora Rainy River and Ontario NDP Leader, called on Premier Ernie Eves to get directly involved in OPSEU negotiations to end the province-wide labour dispute.
Howard Hampton in an open letter to the Premier stressed the threat of forest fires getting out of control due to limited forest fire fighting capabilities as a result of the labour dispute.
“The Province is not in any way prepared for the forest fire season.” Hampton said. “Six of fourteen MNR Forest Fire Fighting Aircraft are currently not operational and need maintenance before being put into use. Crews have not been properly assembled.”
Hampton pointed out to the Premier that even though the temperatures have been cool this spring, four fires started in the last week in Northwestern Ontario.
“Very soon, we will see warmer temperatures and a very serious risk that fires will quickly get out of control,” Hampton said. “The lack of a coordinated pre-assembled fire response team will pose a very serious risk to our forests and communities across the North.”
Hampton urged the Premier to immediately get directly involved in negotiations and provide a fair offer. Hampton urged the premier to remove the government’s demand to take money out of the workers’ pension funds.
“If the government doesn’t act quickly and put a fair offer on the table to resolve this labour dispute, I fear a serious fire hazard across Northern Ontario,” Hampton concludes.