BC Premier Meets With Victoria Firefighter Suspended Over Letter

British Columbia Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Kamloops, B.C., on Sept. 11, 2023. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Premier David Eby met with a Victoria firefighter to discuss the one-day suspension he was issued after penning a letter to the premier criticizing a proposed homeless facility slated to be built in his neighbourhood.

Firefighter Josh Montgomery and Union President Jeremy Wilson of Local 730 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) met with Eby to discuss ongoing concerns regarding Montgomery’s disciplinary suspension and the safety issues he outlined in his letter to the premier, according to an Aug. 28 union news release.

“During the meeting, Premier Eby informed the IAFF Union that he would take the time to review the details raised in the letter,” the union said.

Montgomery addressed the letter to Eby on July 17, saying he was hoping the premier could do something about a City of Victoria plan to put a homeless outreach site near his home, where his young children play.

He called the city’s plan “outrageous” and reckless and said that residents had not been given a chance to voice concerns. He noted that Mayor Marianne Alto “stated unequivocally that people would be consuming drugs on the site at 2155 Dowler, though the site is not an official consumption site.”

Montgomery was suspended for a day without pay over the letter, according to the Victoria Firefighters Association. The union said it opposed the disciplinary action.

Eby “expressed empathy” for Montgomery’s concerns and the lack of public consultation about the centre, according to the news release. He also offered support for the actions of the union, which has filed a dispute against the disciplinary action.

The union said it is following procedure to refute the discipline as outlined in its collective agreement with the city. They are asking for the suspension to be repealed, including lost wages and benefits.

The three are expected to have a follow-up, in-person meeting to discuss how the premier could help with the safety concerns of first responders in Victoria.

Montgomery’s letter emphasized that Victoria firefighters need a police escort to respond to emergency calls near the city’s 900 block of Pandora Avenue, where a drug consumption site is located. The letter recounted a recent incident involving an attack on a paramedic and described how first responders were swarmed by approximately 60 hostile street residents.

The Epoch Times contacted the premier’s office and the City of Victoria for comment but did not hear back by publication time.

The premier spoke about the situation during an unrelated press conference on Aug. 16, saying Montgomery should receive back pay and an apology if he was suspended because of the letter.

The union said the city has offered to meet to discuss the suspension on Sept. 13.

Montgomery’s letter was first publicized by B.C. Conservative Party candidate Tim Thielmann in a social media post. He called the suspension a “chilling retaliation” against the firefighter.

Jennifer Cowan contributed to this report.