OPSEU/SEFPO: Ford government denies firefighter understaffing but internal briefing suggests otherwise

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire OPSEU/SEFPO: Ford government denies firefighter understaffing but internal briefing suggests otherwiseAuthor of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Toronto, July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The union for wildland firefighters is challenging the Ford government’s attempts to deny the reality of persistent understaffing throughout increasingly severe fire seasons. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountIn response to concerns raised by frontline workers represented by OPSEU/SEFPO about staffing being below approved levels, a government spokesperson disputed this by claiming that “Ontario does not have a target number of crews” in remarks published by The Trillium last week. OPSEU/SEFPO has obtained an internal briefing from the Ministry of Natural Resources that suggests otherwise. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe ministerial briefing indicates that crew levels are significantly below what it refers to as the “Optimal Number of Crews”. The briefing shows that the 143 four-to-five-person crews in July 2024 fell short of the ministry’s target of 189 crews. After facing increased public scrutiny, the government claims to have added 170 “new firefighting positions” since 2024. However, the number of firefighters has not increased proportionately, prompting staff to call for greater transparency regarding hiring and retention figures. The government says that it currently has 156 crews. Frontline firefighters, who are overworked and exhausted, say this is far from enough. Experienced fire staff believe Ontario needs 250 crews to effectively respond to today’s increasingly severe fire seasons. “That assessment comes from workers who understand Northern Ontario’s geography, long travel distances, simultaneous fires, crew rotation, fatigue, and the importance of reaching fires early. Initial attack matters because small fires are the ones we can still contain,” said Jeremy Rouse, OPSEU/SEFPO Chair of the Ministry Employee Relations Committee (MERC) for the Ministry of Natural Resources. “Doug Ford is in complete denial about the disastrous consequences of his poor planning,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick. “He totally rejected the concerns of First Nations leaders, then his Emergency Preparedness minister fled a CBC interview when faced with tough questions, and now his government is telling exhausted frontline workers that they are not understaffed.” “Doug Ford must be the only person in the province who thinks he is doing a good job on this file. We are paying a terrible price for his gross negligence.” Ryan Hayes, OPSEU/SEFPO Communications Ontario Public Service Employees Union / Syndicat des employés de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (OPSEU/SEFPO) 416-706-6632 rhayes@opseu.org Samantha Webber- Gallagher, OPSEU/SEFPO Communications Ontario Public Service Employees Union / Syndicat des employés de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (OPSEU/SEFPO) 519-372-5776 swebbergallagher@opseu.org This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.