Firefighters lobby for tax credit

P.E.I.'s 1,000 volunteer firefighters are urging Islanders to show their online support for a national tax credit.

They are asking Islanders to sign a petition at the website Give Firefighters Credit. The petition asks for a $3,000 tax credit.

"It means probably being able to justify to your wife and kids why you're not home so much," said P.E.I. Firefighters Association president Tim Jenkins.

Jenkins said the credit would also help with the costs associated with travel, and maybe make it easier to recruit and retain members.

Jenkins says as of the weekend there have been about 300 emails sent to Island MPs via the petition.

Fire chiefs from across the country have arranged to meet with representatives of the federal government this week to discuss the issue.