The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

13 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,D ecem ber 6,2018 theifp.ca Minister of Labour Lau- rie Scott has proposed amendments to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act that, if accepted, will protect two-hatter fire- fighters across the prov- ince from discipline - an is- sue that stirred up contro- versy among certain mem- bers of the Halton Hills Fire Department last year. The term "two-hatters" or "double-hatters" refers to full-time firefighters who also work part-time for another department, usually in their home com- munity. The practice, common in many smaller communi- ties, is forbidden under the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) union constitution, and has resulted in two-hatters facing fines and threats of losing their full-time jobs. In May 2017, then-Hal- ton Hills fire chief John de- Hooge confirmed that three out of four two-hatter firefighters, who worked full-time in Mississauga, resigned from their part- time positions in Halton Hills to avoid sanctions im- posed on them by their full- time union. One resigned prior to a tribunal hearing, held in February of that year, with the two others following suit afterward. The sanctions included suspension from the union and resulting lost benefits, as well as a $500 monthly fine for six months for a to- tal fine of $3,500. After six months, the monthly fine was set to increase to $1,000. It would then in- crease to a monthly amount of $1,500 after a year, and finally up to $2,000 per month should the violation persist after 18 months. In Canada, Ontario and Newfoundland are the only provinces that have not had legislation in place to protect double-hatters. The proposed amend- ments, introduced as part of the 2018 Ontario Eco- nomic Outlook and Fiscal Review (Bill 57), would pro- tect professional firefight- ers from being penalized as a result of double-hatting and would take pressure off municipalities expected to dismiss them. "Our proposed reforms to finally protect 'double- hatters' will promote pub- lic safety and allow fire- fighters to choose how they volunteer, in their free time," Scott said in a news release. As well, the amend- ments promise to improve the current interest arbi- tration system, known to lead to delays and ineffi- ciencies, by requiring arbi- trators to consider other settlements reached with employees in the same mu- nicipality, as well as vari- ous economic criteria af- fecting that specific area. The changes would also allow municipalities or firefighters' associations to request explanations in writing from the arbitrator and introduce one-person arbitration panels. With files from Graeme Frisque ONTARIO MINISTER OF LABOUR AIMS TO PROTECT TWO-HATTER FIREFIGHTERS, IMPROVE ARBITRATION PROCESS VERONICA APPIA vappia@metroland.com NEWS Don't miss out! Visit website for details and to register! georgetownsoccerclub.com Mark Your CalenDar! register online for the 2019 outdoor house league season from January 28th to February 10th to receive early bird savings. 2019 OUTDOOR SOCCER REGISTRATION Can I have more than one WIll? 104 - 83 Mill St., Georgetown 905.877.0121 estates & trustslegal matters M. Jasmine Sweatman B.A., J.D., LL.M., TEP., C.S., EPC, CPCA Certified Specialist in Estates & Trusts Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Estate Litigation and Administration, Corporate, Real Estate Q: Having more than one Will can be a valuable estate planning strategy allowing you to minimize the estate administration tax and simplify the estate administration process. Assets that require probate to be administered (for example real estate) are dealt with in the primary Will and probate fees are only to be paid on the value of those assets. The secondary Will assets are transferred to your beneficiaries without the need for probate. The idea behind multiple Wills is to separate those assets requiring probate from those that do not. The strategy of multiple Wills allows for a transfer of assets to your beneficiaries without incurring the estate administration tax (or probate fees) for those assets that can be transferred without probate. Such assets (including for example shares of privately held corporations or assets outside Ontario) would be dealt with in a separate Will. It is important to seek legal advice if you wish to draft multiple Wills to ensure that the Wills are properly prepared and your estate collectively planned suit. You will need the Wills carefully drafted to ensure each Will refers to the other and does not revoke the other. Thinking of implementing an estate plan…. call us to discuss! * www.sweatmanlaw.com *Sweatman Law Professional Corporation A : A new cemetery for the general public is taking shape for residents in Halton Hills and their families. Devereaux Cemetery is located in a quiet country setting on the 17th Side Road, just west of Trafalgar Road. It's adjacent to the Holy Redeemer Cemetery and open to people of all religious faiths. Contact us for information about available interment options, either at time of need or in advance. 905-877-8500 l www.devereauxcemetery.ca Owned and operated by The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of Hamilton