Manitoba fire fighters rally in support of groundbreaking mental health legislation

With the memory of a fallen fire fighter close to their hearts, IAFF members rallied on the steps of the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg April 17 in support of first-of-its-kind legislation that would require employers to prevent and treat job-related psychological injury and illness.

Manitoba fire fighters are supporting Bill 29, the Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act – introduced by Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino – which would require employers to proactively prevent and treat psychological injury and illness with the same level of care and prevention as physical injury and illness.

The goal of Bill 29 is to create “psychologically safe workplaces,” which are described as workplaces “where the psychological well-being of workers is promoted and active measures are undertaken to prevent harm, whether negligent, reckless or intentional, to the psychological well-being of workers.”

The bill passed second reading with 30 fire fighters watching from the gallery and many more outside the legislature and is now awaiting committee hearings prior to third reading.

Organized by Winnipeg, MB Local 867, the rally also drew members from Portage la Prairie Local 1079, Brandon Local 803 and Whiteshell Local I160. Members of Thomspon Local 2200 were forced to express their support remotely because their department is dangerously understaffed.

Winnipeg Local 867 President Nick Kasper says he’s grateful to the Manitoba NDP Government and Minister Marcelino for introducing Bill 29, noting that the Local has forged a strong working relationship with the government and was able to provide input during the bill’s development. He added that fire fighters expect to speak at hearings as the bill moves forward and anticipate having a seat on the working group that will advise on its implementation once enacted.

“We’ve known for years the increased risk fire fighters face for psychological illness and injury. We’ve experienced that toll firsthand here in Winnipeg with a number of recent losses,” said Kasper. “ The incorporation of Bill 29 into the Workplace Safety and Health Act is going to provide a framework and a roadmap to eliminating a number of those risks.”

In advocating for Bill 29, fire fighters are pointing to the results of a recent Psychological Safety and Health Survey of 997 Winnipeg Local 867 members that yielded startling results: a full 98.1 per cent believe job-related burnout is a serious or significant concern and that work demands threaten their psychological health. The survey also found that 98.3 per cent stated their home life suffers because of work-life stress.

The rally carried added meaning for fire fighters as they marked the one-year anniversary of the line-of-duty death of Winnipeg Fire Fighter Preston Heinbigner, who was lost to psychological injury in April 2024, and showed support to his wife Shayda, their children Oslo and Olympia and his parents Robert and Elaine.

“We continue to stand with them as they navigate life without their beloved husband, father and son,” said Kasper.

Manitoba Professional Fire Fighters Association (MPFFA) President Chris Perry, who attended the April 17 rally, called Bill 29 a groundbreaking step forward in protecting the mental health and well-being of Manitoba’s fire fighters and paramedics, saying for the first time there is legislation that truly acknowledges the psychological toll of their jobs.

“Our members face unimaginable trauma every day, and this bill ensures they won’t have to fight for recognition or support when they need it most,” he said. “This isn’t just progress — it’s a turning point for mental health in emergency services. We commend the NDP government for listening to our voices and leading with courage.”

Minister Marcelino was quoted in the media as calling the legislation “trailblazing,” highlighting fire fighters and other first responders who regularly face traumatic scenes such as fatal accidents in the course of their duties.

The MPFFA represents 1,240 active members in five Locals. Among those elected to the Manitoba Legislature as part of the NDP Government in October 2023 was Winnipeg Fire Fighter David Pankratz.