Ahead of the federal budget being tabled today that includes the doubling of the federal volunteer firefighters tax credit, the Nova Scotia Liberal Caucus is renewing its call for the Houston government to recognize the work of volunteer fire crews in Nova Scotia. Across the province, volunteer fire crews are stepping up above and beyond their scope to respond to medical emergencies and often front the cost of transportation themselves to be able to help their neighbours. Doubling the provincial volunteer firefighter tax credit from $500 to $1000 would be a meaningful step in recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of crews across the province.

“As we've seen in the past year, volunteer firefighters are responding to more serious emergencies, more often,” said Emergency Management Office critic Ben Jessome. “Volunteer firefighters give up their time to save people and their properties across Nova Scotia, using their own vehicles and gas to respond to emergencies. Doubling this tax credit would be a simple way for the government to thank them for their important efforts and help with rising expenses they face.”

Instead of directly funding the more than 300 volunteer organizations that respond to emergencies and disasters across the province, the Houston government is trying to reinvent the wheel by creating the Nova Scotia Guard. The initiative, which won’t be up and running until after this year’s wildfire and flooding seasons, has been met with criticism by volunteer organizations who weren’t consulted by the government.

“Thousands of Nova Scotians across our province put their lives on hold to help their communities when disaster strikes,” said Opposition Leader Zach Churchill. “Instead of consulting with these important organizations to determine how to better support them, the Premier has taken his classic approach of choosing flashy headlines over meaningful action. We’re urging the Houston government to do the right thing by providing much- need financial relief to our first responders.”

Northside-Westmount MLA Fred Tilley tabled a bill to double the provincial Volunteer Firefighter and Volunteer Ground Search and Rescue Worker Tax Credit in November 2023.