Federal government funds creation of Indigenous Fire Marshal Office

August 19, 2019, Ottawa, Traditional Algonquin Territory, ON – The Government of Canada announced funding of $9.97 million over three years, starting in 2019-2020, to support the creation of an Indigenous Fire Marshal Office (IFMO). The funding will support Indigenous partners in the next steps in establishing a new IFMO, including how the Office would be structured and governed, its mandate and any associated legislation. Arnold Lazare, President of the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC), is the IFMO Project Lead.

An Indigenous Advisory Committee is being established to support the IFMO Project to help develop the roles and responsibilities of an IFMO. The IFMO will promote fire safety and prevention, undertake public education, and support the use of fire safety, building codes and regular building inspections in Indigenous communities.

The Indigenous Fire Marshal Office (IFMO) will be an Indigenous-led organization, working in collaboration with existing organizations and fire departments, to serve Indigenous communities and promote healthy, safe communities through fire protection and capacity building.

More information about the project and progress to date can found at ifmo.ca