Oshawa and Whitby Fallen Fire Fighter Memorials
Oshawa has confirmed the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens as the future home of a new Firefighters’ Memorial, a $600,000 project that will honour the 14 Oshawa firefighters who died due to their service. The memorial—set just south of Fire Headquarters—will feature a bronze firefighter sculpture and integrated lighting, creating a permanent space for remembrance, ceremonies, and quiet reflection. City officials, including Councillor Tito‑Dante Marimpietri, emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by firefighters and their families.
Whitby is undertaking a similar tribute this fall, with a federally funded Fallen Firefighter Memorial planned for Civic Park to honour seven Whitby firefighters and mark the 175th anniversary of Whitby Fire and Emergency Services. That memorial will include a bronze kneeling‑firefighter statue at the centre of a circular plaza, offering families, colleagues, and residents a dedicated place to remember and learn about the legacy of their fallen members.
Scarborough Retired Fire Fighters Golf 2026
As the weather starts to warm up, it is time to start thinking about Golf. This year, we will once again be holding two golf dates, the first is on Wednesday, June 3rd, and the other is on September 16th (to be confirmed). The course will once again be Sunnybrae in Port Perry. Registration for the course will start around 11:30 am, with a tee-off at 12:30.
More details and Registration can be found here.
Canadian Fire Fighter Cancer Registry
The Canadian Firefighter Cancer Registry is a national initiative led by Statistics Canada to track cancer incidence among firefighters, supporting research, prevention,
and early detection.
Purpose and Background
The Canadian Firefighter Cancer Registry was established to address the elevated risk of cancer among firefighters due to occupational exposure to fire, smoke, and toxic chemicals. Cancer is the leading cause of job-related fatalities, accounting for over 85% of duty-related fatalities, with firefighters facing a 9% higher risk of cancer diagnosis and a 14%
higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general public (Daniels et al., 2014; Al-Hajj et al., 2024). The registry aims to collect robust occupational and
health data that was previously unavailable in Canada’s general cancer registries.
Legislative Framework
The registry is part of the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting, developed under the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act (Bill C-224), which received Royal Assent in June 2023. It also designates January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month in Canada. For more information, see IAFF.
Toronto Fire Fighters Arbitration Award
Toronto Fire Fighters recently received their long‑awaited arbitration award, settling the contract that expired at the end of 2023. After a series of bargaining meetings and an arbitration hearing last fall, the award sets a 4.75% wage increase for 2024, bringing a First Class Firefighter’s salary to just over $114,500 (Effective July 1, 2026 – $123, 679). The decision, released in December 2025, wraps up a lengthy process led by Arbitrator Mark Wright and gives Local 3888 a clearer path forward after nearly two years of negotiations and hearings.
On top of the wage increases, the arbitration award also brought in a new 3% premium for Toronto Fire Fighters. This big change closes the long‑standing gap that opened when Toronto Police negotiated their own version back in 2019. Starting January 1, 2026, all TFS members with more than five years on the job will receive this extra 3% “frontline allowance,” mirroring the police model and restoring the traditional parity between the two services. It’s the first time firefighters in Ontario have received this premium, and while the City pushed back hard, the arbitrator ruled that the police‑fire link is too established to ignore. In short: it’s a significant bump, long overdue, and a major win for Local 3888.
If you are interested in reading the award, it can be found here
MROO 2026 Zone Meetings
It’s that time of year again — MROO members now have the chance to take part in the annual Zone Meetings. These gatherings are a great opportunity to stay informed, reconnect with fellow retirees, and enjoy a complimentary lunch while you’re at it.
Registration Deadline for Zone 4 is March 31st
If you’re interested in attending, simply follow the links below for full details:
MROO MEMBERSHIP – Membership | MROO