Iggy realizes a childhood dream in Prince Twp

Before making an important announcement in Prince Township, Canada's leader of the opposition took a few minutes today to ride in a fire truck.

"I had an opportunity to realize a childhood dream," Micheal Ignatieff told volunteer firefighters and others gathered for the announcement.

He also told them that a Liberal government would ensure that all volunteer firefighters who qualify will be able to collect a $3,000 refundable tax credit.

One of the primary points of eligibility is that a volunteer log at least 200 hours in a year.

That's a walk in the park for most of the 26 Prince Township volunteers, who log an average of 300 hours a year just in training.

For some, like retired Fisheries and Oceans Canada Biologist Jerry Weise, it's a great opportunity to train and serve with a friendly and efficient team as well.

The full text of Ignatieff's announcement follows:

************************* Michael Ignatieff pledges support for volunteer firefighters

Volunteer Emergency Services for rural Canada matter

PRINCE TOWNSHIP, ON - A future Liberal government would introduce a $3,000 refundable tax credit in recognition of the costs Canada’s volunteer firefighters incur for their emergency public service, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff announced today.

“Thousands of Canadians put their lives at risk to keep us safe when they don the volunteer firefighter’s uniform,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “Without the emergency public service provided by volunteer firefighters, rural communities nationwide would be without protection - which is why we need to support their efforts.”

At an event with volunteer firefighters from the 28 volunteer fire departments in the District of Algoma, Mr. Ignatieff pledged to provide a $3,000 refundable tax credit to all volunteer firefighters with a minimum of 200 hours of volunteer service during the tax year.

This annual volunteer service would include time devoted to achieving and maintaining firefighter training in accordance with recognized standards.

The tax credit would be made available to everyone who qualifies, regardless of income.

“Rural Canadians don’t have access to the same level of public services - which is why so many volunteer their time to serve their communities,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “We need to recognize the special level of service, risk and sacrifice made by volunteer firefighters, who are ready to answer the call at all hours to help their neighbours in need.”

Over 90 percent of Canada’s 3,492 fire departments are volunteer fire departments.

There are approximately 84,000 volunteer firefighters in Canada.

Support for volunteer firefighters is the third part of the Liberal Party’s “Rural Canada Matters” initiative.

Mr. Ignatieff recently announced the Liberal plan for Canada’s first National Food Policy and measures to help attract doctors and nurses to underserved rural communities.

“We’re presenting Canadians with a clear choice,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “The Liberal choice is to pay down the deficit and invest in priorities like rural emergency services, while Stephen Harper has chosen more tax cuts for corporations that our country and our families can’t afford.”

At the recent Canada at 150 conference, Mr. Ignatieff announced that a Liberal government will freeze corporate income tax rates in Canada.

The Harper Conservative government’s priority is to continue cutting Canada’s corporate income tax rates - already among the lowest in the G7 - from 18 percent to 15 percent when our country can’t afford to.

A Liberal government would use the savings from a corporate income tax freeze - between $5 billion and $6 billion a year - to invest in deficit reduction and initiatives like supporting rural emergency services, as announced today.

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