Scott Simms introduced Bill
MP Scott Simms introduced a bill C-482 in the House of Commons to propose changes to the Radiocommunnications Act. If adopted this bill would eliminate licencing fees of radios to volunteer emergency organizations.
The Association would like to recognise and thank MP Scott Simms for introducing a private members bill in the House of commons to ammend the radiocommunication act to provide for the removal of radio licencing fees for volunteer fire departments and all volunteer emergency agencies in Canada.
This Bill has now recieved first reading and is printed but still has quite a journey to become law.
Mr. Scott Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, Lib.)
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-482, An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act (voluntary organizations that provide emergency services).
He said: Mr. Speaker, it is indeed my honour to bring to this House today, and for debate in the future, an act that will provide some financial assistance to thousands of volunteer organizations, across this country, that provide their services in emergencies.
By emergency services that we talk about in this bill, we mean fire, ambulance, search and rescue, and other related services provided in an emergency situation. What this bill will mean for the voluntary organizations is that they will not be charged a fee to be issued a radio licence. Again I remind the House that this could save these volunteer organizations, that have so little to rely upon as it is, a lot of money.
I would like to personally thank Chief Vince MacKenzie of Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department, who is also the president of the Association of Fire Services in Newfoundland and Labrador, for his assistance on this bill.
Copy of this bill is below
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=4228262&file=4