Increasing the Existing Tax Exemption for Volunteer Firefighters and Search and Rescue Volunteers

Whereas British Columbias volunteer firefighters and search and rescue members play a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of British Columbians, often risking their own lives in dangerous and unpredictable conditions and often contributing their own financial resources to purchase equipment; And whereas the current tax credit of 3,000 for volunteers who provide at least 200 hours of volunteer service to a volunteer fire department, an eligible search and rescue organization, or a combination of both, is a small amount on a per hour basis: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the Province of British Columbia to increase the existing tax credit for search and rescue and firefighter volunteers from 3,000 to 10,000.