MORE PROTECTION FOR FIREFIGHTERS SOUGHT IN NEW LAW

Tougher penalties for people who set booby-traps that harm
firefighters are being welcomed by the Surrey firefighters' union and
Surrey-Central MP Gurmant Grewal as long-overdue changes that will
help protect emergency workers.

The proposed changes to the Criminal Code, introduced last month and
currently being debated in Parliament, would increase the maximum
sentence for causing the injury or death of a firefighter or other
emergency worker who enters a booby-trapped premises to 14 years in
cases of injury, and life imprisonment when fatalities occur.

Under the existing law, the maximum penalty for setting a trap that
causes death or injury is five years, "a joke," according to Grewal,
who tried to get the law changed 13 months ago.

At the time, Grewal's private member's bill failed to get the required
unanimous consent to put his proposed changes to a vote. "Why was it a
bad idea a year ago and a good idea now?" Grewal complained Friday.

Still, Grewal said, he's happy the issue is being addressed.

The MP said he took up the cause at the urging of the Surrey
Firefighters' Association, which has been lobbying to change the law
since 1995.

Association president Lorne West said the union is "very pleased" the
proposals have been introduced.

"I think this is very significant," West told The Leader
Friday.

"This allows our families to have closure in the event of a
tragedy."

West said the change will be especially welcome in Surrey, where some
of the estimated 4,500 indoor marijuana grow ops are protected by
booby traps with crossbows, propane canisters ready to explode,
cutaway floorboards, and other hazards meant to kill or injure anyone
who interferes with the drug operation.

"Surrey firefighters were the first to raise the issue of increased
protection for firefighters," West said, praising Grewal for being the
first Member of Parliament to champion the cause.

"We were disappointed when the Liberal majority voted it
down.

"However, now the government has reconsidered and firefighters across
Canada will benefit from increased protection."