President of union representing Winnipeg firefighters will not run for re-election
The president of the union that represents Winnipeg’s firefighters and firefighter-paramedics is not running for re-election.
Alex Forrest announced his decision at the recent general membership meeting of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg (UFFW) and released a letter to the public on Monday.
He said he is proud of the support he has had from his members, adding that he has the best members of any union in Canada.
“We have changed the course of history when it’s come to health and safety issues on occupational disease,” Forrest said in an interview with CTV News Winnipeg.
Forrest will stay on as the president of Manitoba Professional Firefighters Association and as the Canadian trustee of the International Association of Firefighters. He said it is time for him to focus on issues across Manitoba, Canada, and the international union, as well as helping other countries ensure they have the same Workers Compensation Board benefits as the firefighters in Winnipeg.
Forrest said there will be a transition period next year so he can help the new leadership in any way he can.
“I’ve been asked to assist different locals from around the world and I’m going to be moving on,” Forrest said.
“I will always be available to assist the firefighters of Winnipeg, but it’s time for me to take a greater role provincially, nationally and internationally in regards to firefighter health and safety issues around the world.”
In September, Forrest will retire from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service after 33 years as a captain.
The UFFW election will take place next spring, with the new president starting in April. There will be a four-month transition period.
- With files from CTV’s Jeff Keele.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.