Ottawa – MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni), NDP Critic for Emergency Preparedness, tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling on the federal government to recognize wildland and forest firefighters as firefighters under Canada’s National Occupational Classification system.

The motion was tabled during Emergency Preparedness Week 2026, held May 3-9 under the theme “Be Prepared. Know Your Risks.” Johns said recognizing wildland firefighters is essential as Canada faces increasingly severe wildfire emergencies.

“As Canadians are being asked to prepare for growing climate and wildfire risks, the federal government also has a responsibility to ensure the frontline workers protecting our communities are properly recognized and supported,” said Johns. “Wildland and forest firefighters are essential public safety workers, and it’s past time federal policy reflected that reality.”

The motion builds on Johns’ advocacy for wildland/forest firefighters, including tabling a Petition, calling on the federal government to address their misclassification and ensure they receive the same recognition and protections as other firefighters.

Despite performing dangerous emergency response work, including wildfire suppression, evacuations, and protecting communities and infrastructure, wildland/forest firefighters remain excluded from the firefighter occupational category in the federal classification system.

“Wildland firefighters put their lives on the line every year to protect people, communities, and ecosystems across this country,” said Johns. “They do the same frontline work as other firefighters, yet they are denied equal recognition and protections because of an outdated federal classification.”

The motion notes that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security unanimously supported action in April 2024, but no corrective action by the government has followed. It also references the federal government’s April 22, 2026 response to Petition e-451-00582, which acknowledged future changes to the National Occupational Classification could be considered.

Johns’ motion calls on the government to:

• Recognize wildland and forest firefighters as firefighters under the National Occupational Classification and;
• Remove federal barriers preventing wildland firefighters from accessing the recognition, protections, and benefits afforded to other firefighters and public safety workers.

“Canada is relying more and more on wildland firefighters as wildfire emergencies intensify,” said Johns. “These workers deserve proper recognition now.”