A Belleville councillor lost her bid to launch a province-wide campaign against what she called “excessive” pay contracts for firefighters, but not before a heated debate. Councillor Jackie Denyes said firefighter settlements by arbitration were “out of line” with the municipalities’ ability to pay. In a letter to city council, president of the professional firefighters Sean Allair said the motion was “inflammatory” and aimed at promoting a fight between the career and volunteer firefighters. Denyes said she was “shocked at the strong language” and tat she works for the “good of the city.” Chief Ray Chaput said the motion “undermined” his position and he had settled three contracts elsewhere without going to arbitration. The motion went down to defeat,
