Province to increase list of cancers to WCB regulations when it comes to coverage for fire fighters

The Province of British Columbia to expand cancer coverage for province's fire fighters.

A Friday announcement from Minister of Labour Harry Bains has charted a course forward for better health coverage for the province's fire fighters, with the province set to amend the Firefighter's Occupational Disease Regulation through the Workers Compensation Act. 

As part of the amendment, three cancers will be added to the existing  list of thirteen that firefighters are at risk of development.

The three include: Ovarian, cervical and penile cancers. In addition, firefighters won’t have to work as long before they become eligible for coverage for testicular, colorectal and esophageal cancers, which are already covered. 

“It goes without saying that firefighters face a lot of hazards in their work. When it comes to the workers’ compensation system, they shouldn’t have to prove that certain long-term illnesses are work-related in order to access supports. B.C.’s firefighters have been asking for this protection, and I am proud to support these people who do so much to keep British Columbians safe.” -- Harry Bains, Minister of Labour.

From the amendments, If a firefighter develops one of the listed cancers after a certain period of employment, it is presumed that the cancer arose from their employment. The firefighter is then eligible for workers’ compensation benefits without having to prove the cancer is work-related. 

The changes come with a growing number of women joining the ranks of fire halls across the province and in First Nations communities.

You can review the full announcement from the province here.

Notes on the work of Emergency Responders in the Northwest can be explored here.