The Federation of Canadian Municipalities wants to know how the federal government plans to protect essential workers during a pandemic.

The organization outlined its concerns in a letter Monday to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, describing "a serious gap in the federal government's overall pandemic preparedness strategy."

The organization, which represents close to 2,000 cities and towns across the country, says there is currently no detail in Canada's pandemic plan on how to keep front-line workers safe and on the job during a flu outbreak. These jobs include critical services, such as police, firefighters and utility workers.

"It's something that, you know, we don't want to slip through the cracks," said Basil Stewart, federation president and mayor of Summerside, P.E.I.

"[We want] to make sure that if it does happen that we're prepared for it, that the federal government has a plan in place to ensure that all front-line workers, if you will — whether it's the medical people or the police or the fire, to all front-line workers — that they're protected in case of an emergency so they can carry on, and carry out their duties."

The letter says to keep cities and communities functioning during a pandemic, critical front-line workers will need access to vaccines and anti-viral drugs.

The federation notes that a year ago a Public Health Agency of Canada task force recommended critical workers be identified so they can be ensured rapid assessment and treatment. However, no such priority list has been added to Canada's pandemic plan.

Stewart said the federation wants a meeting of all ministers responsible to add these details to the plan as soon as possible.