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Ontario is doubling its Fire Protection Grant from $10 million to $20 million to help municipal fire departments improve cancer prevention programs and prepare for emergencies involving lithium-ion batteries.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner says the funding will give firefighters more tools to stay safe while responding to dangerous calls. The grant can be used for new or existing projects, including personal protective gear, equipment for battery-related incidents, and upgrades like improved broadband connectivity.
Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg says the boost will help address growing risks such as lithium-ion battery fires, while also supporting firefighter health.
Applications open Aug. 13 and close Sept. 30, 2025, through Transfer Payment Ontario.
The province says about 33,000 municipal firefighters serve Ontario, and cancer remains a leading cause of firefighter deaths. Around 50 to 60 Canadian firefighters die from cancer annually, with about half of those deaths occurring in Ontario.
Story by Alyssa Brush
