Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns and North Island-Powell River’s Rachel Blaney announced yesterday that an increase to the tax credit for volunteer firefighters is on the way.

It will be doubled for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue personnel.

Johns says volunteer firefighters often have nine-to-five jobs and they’re doing heroic work in their free time.

“The least the federal government can do is acknowledge their work with this extra help.”

In 2021, Johns brought forward a bill to help volunteer firefighters and search and rescue teams with growing costs, measures to encourage hiring and retention by increasing their tax credit.

He reintroduced the bill again last winter.

Blaney says rural communities have always counted on the work of firefighters and search and rescue personnel, and as the weather gets more extreme, their services are paramount.