A group of South African firefighters are leaving Canada earlier than expected because of a pay dispute, and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is vowing to ensure that these firefighters receive every penny that they were initially promised. According to Notley “I can say right now that every hour that every firefighter from South Africa — or anywhere else — has worked on these fires will be compensated in accordance with our laws in this province. Alberta engaged in a contract that was constructed with the understanding that it would facilitate minimum levels of pay to those firefighters. We were disturbed to learn very recently the reports that that has not carried through to the firefighters. While it is a dispute between the firefighters and their agency … it’s not acceptable to me and to my government that we would have people working for wages in our province that do not align with our labour laws.”

The pay dispute between South African firefighters and their agency has led to a government investigation. Notley explained that the contract the province entered into with the agency called for firefighters to receive approximately $170 per day, or $21.25 per hour for an 8 hour shift. Travel, lodging, and food costs were also covered for the firefighters by the government. The agency involved, Working On Fire, disagrees that it was supposed to pay the firefighters $21 per hour, saying that they were instead supposed to receive the usual stipend that they get in South Africa plus any overtime, as well as a $50 payment per day for going to Canada and working. The agency also claims that the additional $50 per day was to be paid in two parts, with $15 in advance and $35 once the firefighters returned home.