'We need a champion': Ex-firefighter challenges politicians to push for CO detector law

The story of a Saskatoon woman saved by a carbon monoxide detector has prompted a retired firefighter to again appeal for new safety laws.

Make detectors mandatory for all homes, says advocate

Danny Kerslake CBC News Posted: Jan 17, 2017 11:42 AM EST | Last Updated: January 17, 2017

John Gignac wants CO detectors to be mandatory in all Canadian homes. (CBC)

The story of a Saskatoon woman saved by a carbon monoxide detector has prompted a retired firefighter to again appeal for new safety laws.

JohnGignac, with the Hawkins-GignacFoundation for CO Education,is pushing for legislation that would make it mandatory for all homes across Canada to have CO alarms.

I made a promise to my brother that I would warn all Canadians as best I could about the dangers of carbon monoxide.- John Gignac

"We need a champion," he told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.

"A member of Parliament in your area needs to step up and say, 'Listen, I want to champion this bill and put it forward so that we can start working on it.'"

Last week, whenthe power went out at PearlKorentchenko'shome, the furnace stopped working, so she and her boyfriend made sure to check the batteries in the CO alarm.

'I wouldn't be here today': Saskatoon woman says CO detector saved her life

Just as they were getting ready for bed, the monitor's alarm went off. They were feeling unwell.

Kornentchenkobelieves the CO detector saved their lives.

Gignacsaid that examples like hers underline the need for new laws, and serve as clear evidence that CO detectors save lives.

Personal tragedy fuels drive for new laws

It's not just the stories of other Canadians that drive Gignac.

His niece and her entire family died in 2008 of CO poisoning. He said he will never forget being in the hospital as doctors tried to save his niece's life using ahyperbaricchamber.

John Gignac looks at a photo of his family members lost to carbon monoxide poisoning. (endthesilence.ca)

"I made a promise to my brother that I would warn all Canadians as best I could about the dangers of carbon monoxide," said Gignac.

Detectors are now mandatory in Yukon and Ontario. Gignac said there is evidence of good compliance and that the alarms are keeping people safe.

"My whole heart wants to make sure that all of Canada has the same protection," he said.

Gignachopes to visit Saskatchewan soon to talk about the dangers of CO poisoning and how a federal law could help protect families.

With files from CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning

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