International Association of Fire Fighters Alberta
IAFF Alberta
LAPP Sponsor Board
IAFF Alberta represents over 5,000 members and has always been active in advancing their needs so they can have long, healthy careers that build toward long, healthy retirements — including a seat at the table on how their pensions are governed.
Understanding the Sponsor Board
Fire Fighters in Alberta have been professionally organized for over 100 years. Today IAFF Alberta represents over 5,000 members, including Fire Fighters, Paramedics, Fire Fighter/Paramedics, emergency communication operators, training officers, fire prevention officers, and fire investigators.
IAFF Alberta has always been active in advancing the needs of our members so they may have long and healthy careers that build toward long and healthy retirements. We do this by supporting those who support us, building relationships, and engaging our stakeholders with a focus on solutions.
What Makes Fire Fighters Unique
When a Fire Fighter begins their profession, they're typically of above-average health compared to the public. When a Fire Fighter enters retirement, they're typically of below-average health compared to the public — and Fire Fighters do not have the life span, or live in retirement, as long as the average person does.
These factors make Fire Fighters' pensions, and the administration of that pension, especially important to IAFF Alberta.
Interesting Demographics
Of our over 5,000 members:
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85% are the primary income earners in their households
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87% work full-time hours
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98% intend to work 30+ year careers with the same employer
These factors are why Fire Fighters believe they've earned their own seat on the board.
Previous Advocacy
For years leading up to the formation of the Sponsor Board, we lobbied the government, alongside other unions, for joint governance of our pensions. At the time the board was structured, we lacked the member volume to earn a seat — but we feel a seat for us is justified regardless.
The same contrast that existed then still exists today: British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario all have Fire Fighters represented within their joint governance models. Alberta does not.
Timing
With the current health care transformation underway, the Joint Governance of Public Sector Pension Plans Act must be amended to remove the heavy presence of Alberta Health Services on the employer side of the board, and reflect the new health authorities. When this Act is opened, that's when we're asking for IAFF Alberta to be awarded a seat on the Sponsor Board.
Since all of our members are employed by municipalities, we suggest the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) and Alberta Municipalities (AM) each be awarded their own seat, rather than continuing to share one on an alternating basis, to keep the board balanced.
The Ask:
We're asking the Minister of Finance to amend section 4(1)(a) of the Joint Governance of Public Sector Pension Plans Act to include one seat for IAFF Alberta.
Conclusion
The Sponsor Board's composition hasn't changed since its inception, and no other trade union has ever asked to be part of it. In 2025, we approached the Sponsor Board directly, citing sections 8(2) and (3) of the Act, requesting IAFF Alberta be added — but were declined. That leaves lobbying the Minister of Finance as our only remaining option to gain a seat and represent our members on this board.