An interest arbitration board has awarded Brantford firefighters a three-year collective agreement that includes wage increases ranging from 1.7 per cent to 9.5 per cent across six scheduled raises, along with enhanced benefits and extended bereavement leave.
The award, issued in December 2025, resolved outstanding issues between the City of Brantford and Brantford Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 460, after their previous collective agreement expired on December 31, 2023.
The arbitrator established a contract term running from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026, with first-class firefighter rates increasing from $110,756 in January 2024 to $123,200 by July 2026.
The wage schedule includes six increases: 1.7 per cent effective January 1, 2024; two per cent effective July 1, 2024; two per cent effective January 1, 2025; one per cent effective July 1, 2025; three per cent effective January 1, 2026; and 3.1 per cent effective July 1, 2026.
“All other ranks to be adjusted accordingly,” the arbitrator noted.
Differentials and benefits
The award increased wage differentials for several positions. Prevention/community training officers and fire prevention officers will receive 131 per cent of the first-class rate effective January 1, 2025, rising to 132 per cent by January 1, 2026.
Captains, lead emergency vehicle technicians and training officers will receive 119 per cent of the first-class rate effective January 1, 2025, increasing to 120 per cent by January 1, 2026.
Assistant emergency vehicle technicians will receive 100 per cent of the first-class rate effective January 1, 2025.
The board doubled the safety boot allowance from $150 to $300 every two years, with the employer retaining the right to inspect damaged boots before approving earlier replacements.
Health and dental coverage
Several health and dental benefits received increases with staggered implementation dates.
The psychological services benefit increased from $2,500 to $3,500 effective January 1, 2026, with psychotherapists added to covered providers 60 days following the award date.
Basic dental coverage increased from a $2,000 annual maximum to $3,000 effective January 1, 2026. Major restorative coverage rose from $1,200 to $2,500 effective the same date, maintaining the existing 50 per cent co-payment.
The orthodontia lifetime maximum increased from the existing amount to $3,500 with a 50 per cent co-payment, effective 60 days from the award date.
Vision coverage increased from $500 every two years to $550 effective 60 days from the award date, continuing to include laser eye surgery.
Hearing aid coverage increased from $700 every 24 months to $800 effective January 1, 2026.
The board maintained the current health care spending account entitlement but extended eligibility from seven to 10 years.
Leave and WSIB provisions
The bereavement leave provision was amended to allow employees scheduled to work up to two consecutive 24-hour shifts of paid time off from the date of death, or three days for members not working 24-hour shifts. The provision now explicitly allows employees to request using available days to attend delayed burials, memorial services or interments.
The workplace insurance top-up period increased from 10 weeks to 26 weeks. The amended article provides that “employees off duty temporarily due to an accident or occupational disease compensable under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act shall be paid 15 per cent top up for 26 weeks paid by the Corporation.”
The board added a new provision eliminating prior authorization requirements for prescription drugs with Health Canada drug identification numbers.
Retiree health and dental benefits were amended to refer to coverage “under the Special Retirees Benefit Plan” rather than specific article references, effective January 1, 2026.
Probationary rates and outstanding issues
The board reduced probationary firefighter wage rates to 55 per cent of the first-class rate for the first six months and 60 per cent for months six through 12, effective the date of the award. Current employees were exempted from this change.
The DZ license medical maximum increased from $125 to $150.
The arbitrator remitted the employer’s proposal related to examinations and promotions to the parties for 90 days of negotiation, retaining jurisdiction to determine the issue if agreement cannot be reached.
The City of Brantford employs approximately 138 employees in fire services across four stations, serving a population of approximately 110,000 people across 99 square kilometres.
The parties bargained for eight days between February and December 2024 before proceeding to interest arbitration under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
Full ruling here: Corporation of the city of Brantford v Brantford Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 460, 2025 CanLII 134519 (ON LA)
