A bill named in memory of two firefighters killed in Listowel has made it through second reading at Queen's Park.
The Rea and Walter Act, which is named after North Perth volunteer firefighters Ken Rea and Ray Walter, would create a way to identify what building materials are used in commercial, industrial and multi-family dwellings.
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece says there is strong support for his private member's bill to protect firefighters.
"There were 40 or so individuals that came down to Toronto," says Pettapiece. "Firefighters, municipal officials, the families of Rea and Walter. The support in the house was just tremendous."
While fighting a fire at a Dollar Stop store in Listowel in 2011, Rea and Walter were both killed when the roof collapsed after the lightweight material it was made with became volatile in the blaze.
The Rea and Walter Act would require most buildings to display an emblem that would inform firefighters to the type of building materials used during construction.
Pettapiece says he feels the bill will continue on its path passing through the necessary approval stages.
"I had actually spoken with the other parties before this to make sure they were on side with it," says Pettapiece. "The NDP said they were going to support it a couple of days ago. And I spoke with the minister [Thursday] morning and she said they were going to support it to."
The next step is to bring it to committee and Pettapiece says it's up to the government to make that call so there is no firm timeline on when that will happen.