Jones and Hardeman promote home safety with IBC

February 19, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones and her caucus colleague Ernie Hardeman (MPP for Oxford) were at Bolton Fire Hall Monday to help receive a donation from the Insurance bureau of Canada (IBC).
Doug DeRabbie, director of government relations, Ontario, with IBC, was on hand with 100 carbon monoxide (CO) detectors donated by IBC.
This donation serves as an important reminder that CO detectors are now mandatory in homes.
“I want to thank the Insurance Bureau of Canada for making this lifesaving donation of CO detectors possible,” said Jones. “It is important that all residents are made aware that CO detectors are now a requirement by law.”
She praised the work of Hardeman to make these detectors mandatory, commenting it started about six years ago with a private member’s bill he put forth, adding IBC had been pushing for the measures too.
“You’re a hero in the eyes of everybody in the Province of Ontario,” Caledon Fire Chief David Forfar told Hardeman.
He also called CO a “hideous gas” that can neither be smelled or seen.
“You go to sleep and you will die,” he said.
IBC made the donation to Caledon Fire and Emergency Services as part of their campaign to raise awareness about the need for carbon monoxide detectors in all homes with a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage. With this donation of 100 units, the Bureau has donated approximately 3,500 detectors to fire departments across the province.
“Despite the serious threat of carbon monoxide poisoning, many Canadians do not have CO detectors in their home,” said DeRabbie. “We thank MPP Jones for making this event possible and for MPP Ernie Hardeman for his leadership and perseverance in making CO detectors mandatory in all homes in Ontario. Imposing the installation of CO detectors is a wise investment that will help keep families safe at a minimal cost.”
In December 2013, Hardeman’s private member’s bill received Royal Assent, the final step in becoming law. The bill was named the Hawkins Gignac Act, in memory of a Woodstock family that was killed by CO poisoning due to a blocked vent on their fireplace. Over the last 15 years, 250 Ontarians have died from accidental CO poisoning.
Although it had unanimous support in the legislature, the bill had to be introduced five times and took five years to pass. The government recently created the regulations necessary to establish standards for detectors, fully implementing the law.
“Carbon Monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America and many of these tragedies can be prevented by installing a CO detector,” Hardeman said. “It is particularly important in the winter months to ensure your family is protected by making sure vents aren’t blocked and that you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector.”
In thanking IBC for the contribution, Hardeman said the first week of every November is going to be known as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. Since that coincides with when the clocks go back in the fall, he said that’s always a good time to check the batteries in the detectors.
He also stressed the fact that without a detector, it’s impossible to know if there’s a CO problem. People who are feeling ill effects might just put it down to something like the flu.
“If you do not have a detector, you will not know until it’s too late,” he said.
“It’s about keeping our families safe,” Mayor Allan Thompson remarked, adding he was glad the awareness week will be marked in November. He said the Town would be sure to proclaim it.
Deputy Fire Chief Mark Wallace said the detectors will be distributed mainly to the homes of vulnerable people, such as seniors or shut-ins. He added they will be referred to these people.
“We never leave a home unprotected,” he said.

Dufferin – Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones (far right) was joined by Deputy Fire Chief Darryl Bailey, Doug DeRabbie of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Fire Chief David Forfar, Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman, Mayor Allan Thompson and Deputy Fire Chief Mark Wallace at Monday’s announcement that 100 carbon monoxide detectors had been donated to the Town.
Photo by Bill Rea