It was my pleasure over the weekend to participate in an event during the Fire and Emergency Services Spring Training School being held in Grand Falls-Windsor. During that event, I presented a cheque totaling $2,500 to the president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services, Fire Chief Vince Mackenzie. This cheque was made possible by an option included under the Occupational Health and Safety Act termed creative sentencing.

In November, 2008, a case stemming from an incident involving an excavator concluded and resulted in a creative sentencing fine being provided to the Minister of Government Services. After careful consideration, officials in my department determined that this fine would be given to the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services to provide improved respiratory protection for volunteer firefighters.

The funds provided will go towards purchasing fit testing gear. On Saturday, I helped demonstrate the fit testing equipment which makes sure that the respiratory protection equipment performs properly when needed.

Creative sentencing funds have benefited many different groups, organizations, children and the general public since it was first permitted under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Funding under this initiative has purchased learning tools for high school students in a number of different municipalities across Newfoundland and Labrador, advertising to raise awareness of workplace health and safety and now fit testing equipment may be included in that list. Sometimes, creative sentencing is not a fine at all but a requirement to give a speech to a peer group about safety issues. It is another tool in addition to fines or imprisonment but it is not meant to embarrass a guilty party. It is a means for the offender to give back to our communities and residents and raise awareness about injury prevention and the importance of workplace safety.

Our volunteer firefighters give so much to their communities and their efforts, dedication and commitment must be commended as they play such an important role in our rural communities ensuring the safety of residents. These men and women have jobs and lives but yet feel such a connection to their communities that they volunteer their time in this much-needed way. It was my pleasure to provide this funding through creative sentencing to the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services.