Private Members’ Bill

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Frankly Speaking May 7, 2014 article

Last Sitting Day of the 40th Parliament Was Most Memorable May 7 2014

May 1 2014 is First Responders Day

First Responders Day at Queen’s Park Details: First Responders Day at Queen’s Park
Pictures

April 30 2014 United by Trauma CELEBRATE FIRST RESPONDERS on the Eve of First Responders Day at The Jazz Bistro, Toronto. Join Frank Klees, MPP to celebrate these hard working individuals that are the cornerstone of every community.
The Jazz Bistro Details

May 1st Thursday at 6PM Boston Pizza 18199 Yonge St Newmarket
Sam Reid from Glass Tiger will be there with Frank Klees, MPP and the winner of Frank’s First Responders contest will be announced. See details in  Boston Pizza Flyer.

Frankly Speaking Mar 26 2014 article
First Responders Day Celebrations Include Student Essay Contest   RESULTS ARE IN !! click here

Heroes honour heroes in inaugural First Responders Day – Article by Brock Weir in The Auroran
May 7 2014

FIRST RESPONDERS article

FIRST RESPONDERS DAY ACT PASSES Dec 10 2013 Press release

Thank you from Police Pensioners Association of Ontario
PPAO-Letter of Support First Responders K Wynne Dec 15 2013

Jan 2 2014 Klees spearheads creation of First Responders Day by Mark Subryan The Aurora Banner

First Responders Day Act Re-introduced     February 28 2013

First Responders Day Act Re-introduced

Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees announced today that he has introduced the First Responders Day Act, 2013 and that it has received First Reading.

“The bill I introduced for First Reading is identical to the one that received the unanimous support of all three parties when it was debated on October 4th of last year,” said Klees. “Given that all three parties supported the bill at Second Reading prior to the legislature being prorogued, it’s my hope that we can get unanimous consent to move the bill for Third Reading without further debate and have it proclaimed in time for May 1st of this year.”

If passed, the bill would proclaim May 1st of each year as First Responder’s Day.

Klees credits his constituent, Vali Stone for the inspiration of the bill after she presented him with her book entitled, ‘911- True Tales of Courage and Compassion‘, in which she documents real life episodes of First Responders.

Vali Stone was present at the legislature when the bill was debated in the legislature in October of last year, along with many First Responders from across the province including representatives from York Region’s Police, Fire and EMS services.

Video at this link First Responders Day

Details Below

First Responders Will be Honoured With a Day of Recognition

But there will be a delay

First Responders Day Act a Casualty of Prorogation

Dalton McGuinty’s decision to prorogue parliament has wiped out 39 Bills that were at various stages of the legislative process. Among them was the First Responders Day Act which received all-party support at Second Reading on October 4th and was expected to be proclaimed into law at the end of this legislative session given the unanimous support. The Bill would have proclaimed every May 1st as First Responders Day in the province.

“The final stage of approval for the First Responders Day Act was to be a formality given the enthusiastic and unanimous support the Bill received from Members of all political parties,” said Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees who sponsored the legislation. “Unfortunately, the fact that Dalton McGuinty chose to prorogue parliament means that this Bill, along with 38 other pieces of legislation have been wiped out.”

While this turn of events is a set-back and may mean that the formal declaration of First Responders Day will not be in place in time for May 1st next year, Klees is committed to re-introducing the Bill in the next session of the legislature.

“The fact that I had the support of all three political parties for this Bill, is an acknowledgement of the important role first responders play in our communities, and confirms that they deserve to be honoured with a day of recognition. Whether this legislation is in place or not, I would hope that communities across our province will plan ways to recognize the contributions of first responders on May 1, 2013, regardless of the status of this legislation.” October 18, 2012

First Responders Will be Honoured With a Day of Recognition

A Private Members’ Bill that will designate May 1st of each year as First Responders Day in Ontario, received all-party support in the legislature today.

The legislation was introduced by Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees, who told the legislature that his role on the committee investigating Ontario’s air ambulance system and a book that depicts the real life experiences of first responders were the inspiration for his Bill.

“The intention is, that whether it’s through statements in the legislature, or recognition in municipal offices across the province or tributes in school assemblies, we would take the time to acknowledge that our communities are safe, our homes are protected and our lives are secure, because of the dedication of the First Responders in our communities.”

“I want to thank my constituent Vali Stone for the inspiration behind this Bill,” Klees told the legislature while introducing the Bill. ”Her book, entitled ‘ 911….True Tales of Courage and Compassion ‘ contains the first-hand accounts of thirty-four first responders, who in their own words shared the most memorable incidents in the course of carrying out their duties.”

First responders from across the province were on hand in the legislature to observe the debate. Among them were contributors to Vali Stone’s book, including East Gwillimbury Fire Chief Ken Beckett whose account of attending at an emergency call that involved his daughter-in-law and two grandchildren had a strong impact on Klees.

“Perhaps more so than any other account in this book, Chief Beckett’s description of that call impressed on me, the extent to which First Responders in our communities are exposed to human suffering,” said Klees. “They are called on to put the lives of others first and must constantly struggle with subordinating their personal feelings in the face of the tragedy they’ve just encountered.”

Klees made a point of recognizing the front line staff at Ornge, the province’s embattled air ambulance service, who he said have remained professional and committed to their calling as emergency responders under very difficult circumstances.

“We want to thank and honour the paramedics, pilots and dispatchers of Ornge and all first responders at every level of emergency response for their tireless and often thankless public service,” said Klees.

For Immediate Release
September 12, 2012

First Responders Should be Honoured With A Day of Recognition

A Private Members’ Bill has been introduced in the Ontario Legislature, that if passed will designate May 1st of each year as First Responders Day in Ontario.

The legislation is being proposed by Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees, who introduced the Bill for First Reading today.

“I want to thank my constituent Vali Stone for the inspiration behind this Bill ” Klees told the legislature while introducing the Bill. ” Her book, entitled ‘ 911….True Tales of Courage and Compassion ‘ contains the first-hand accounts of thirty-four first responders, who in their own words shared the most memorable incidents in the course of carrying out their duties.”

“These accounts confirmed for me that the heroes among us – the police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, medevac pilots, dispatchers, doctors and nurses and those who serve in our military, including the many volunteers who dedicate countless hours to emergency response, deserve to be recognized for their selfless service to our communities and our province” said Klees.

The Bill will be debated on Thursday, September 27th in the afternoon session of the legislature. All three political parties will participate in the debate and a vote will follow.

Author Vali Stone will attend the debate at Queen’s Park, along with representatives from the various categories of First Responders, including police services, fire fighters, paramedics and other emergency response personnel.

Anyone interested in attending the debate is asked to call Mr. Klees’ Aurora Constituency Office at 905 750 0019 or send an email to fklees@frank-klees.on.ca

See also Article Frankly Speaking An Act to Proclaim May 1st as First Responders Day in Ontario

Contact:

Frank Klees, MPP
Newmarket-Aurora
905-750-0019