My question is to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Everywhere across Ontario, firefighters never hesitate to serve and protect their communities. Whether working in a volunteer or professional role, these dedicated women and men in our local fire services are on the front lines keeping our communities safe.

Being a firefighter is both rewarding and demanding, as there are extensive training and recertification requirements to remain current with industry best practices. At any emergency scene, firefighters can encounter many unforeseen risks and hazards. It is essential that all firefighters have access to training programs that will help them to better prepare for the challenges they face every day.

Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is supporting firefighters to ensure they have the necessary skills to do their job safely and effectively?

Firefighting is among the most stressful careers in Ontario, with the nature of the work being dangerous and unpredictable. The challenges they encounter can cause lasting impacts on their health and well-being.

Tragically, cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, accounting for more than 74% of line-of-duty deaths in 2022. On average, 50 to 60 firefighters die of cancer yearly in Canada, half of whom are in Ontario.

Speaker, can the minister please explain what our government is doing to better support our firefighters?