The Ontario government will soon introduce legislation that, if passed, will expand presumptive coverage for firefighters in the case of primary-site kidney cancer by reducing the required duration of service from 20 to 10 years, which would be the lowest duration of service in Canada. The province will also propose to remove the requirement that a firefighter’s primary-site colorectal diagnosis must be made before the age of 61. These changes will ensure firefighters, including wildland firefighters, and fire investigators can access benefits through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) faster and easier.
“Firefighters and investigators make major sacrifices to keep our communities, property and families safe and we owe it to them to always have their backs,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We’ve already expanded presumptive cancer coverage to reflect the long-term risks firefighters take on as part of their job every day and we’re building on that progress to help our frontline heroes get the coverage they deserve.”
Firefighters die of cancer at a rate up to four times higher than the general population. Presumptive coverage under the WSIB streamlines the assessment of certain firefighter WSIB claims by presuming the worker’s injury or occupational disease is work-related, making it faster and easier for firefighters to access WSIB benefits and services.
The new proposals build on the government’s nationally-leading measures to protect frontline heroes that were contained in the previous Working for Workers packages since 2021. These include:
- Expanding presumptive occupational cancer coverage for firefighters and fire investigators to include primary site thyroid and pancreatic cancers.
- Reducing the required duration of service for primary-site esophageal cancer from 25 to 15 years, which is the lowest requirement in Canada.
- Including wildland firefighters and investigators under the same presumptive coverage for occupational cancers, heart injuries and PTSD as municipal firefighters and reducing the required duration of service for primary-site skin cancer from 15 to 10 years, which is the lowest requirement in Canada.
“While some people run away from danger, firefighters, investigators and volunteers run towards it. These heroes keep our families and communities safe and they deserve a government that values their service and sacrifice,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government is serving those who serve by expanding presumptive coverage for kidney and colorectal cancer. I would like to thank the OPFFA, OAFC, FFAO and the firefighting community for their leadership, advocacy and partnership throughout our Working for Workers bills – because these heroes have earned stronger, more expansive coverage.”
These changes are part of a larger package that will expand on the ground-breaking actions introduced in the five previous Working for Workers Acts since 2021, which will be unveiled in the coming weeks to grow Ontario’s workforce, keep costs down for workers and businesses and support the well-being of workers and their families. These changes are another way the government is building a brighter future for all Ontarians and ensuring our province remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.
Quick Facts
- Approximately five million workers and 325,000 employers are covered by the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
- Nineteen types of cancer are currently included under WSIB presumptive coverage.
- There are over 12,000 full-time professional firefighters in Ontario, over 500 part-time personnel and over 18,000 volunteer firefighters.
- Over 1,000 people worked as wildland firefighters and wildland fire investigators during the 2023 wildland fire season.
- To strengthen the province’s wildland fire program, Ontario is investing $64 million to hire and train key personnel and fund the purchase of new support equipment and technology, including fuel systems, tankers, trucks and software systems.
- The province is investing more than $10 million to train more than 28,000 firefighters by building five new state-of-the-art training facilities, which will help to meet the emergency response needs of growing communities across Ontario and allow local firefighters to get the training they need closer to home.
- In March 2024, the government launched new incentive pay for wildland firefighting staff. More than $5 million will be provided to attract and retain these critical employees.
Quotes
"This year has been pivotal for firefighter presumptive coverage legislation in Ontario. I am thrilled that today, the government announced legislative amendments addressing kidney cancer and colorectal cancer. On behalf of the OPFFA, I extend heartfelt thanks to Premier Ford and his government for these impactful changes. Reducing the required duration of employment from 20 to 10 years for kidney cancer and eliminating the 61-year age limit on presumptive eligibility for colorectal cancer are significant milestones. These important revisions are seminal and ensure that all firefighters who develop these occupational cancers while safeguarding Ontarians, will have better access to the support and coverage they need."
- Greg Horton
President, Ontario Professional Firefighters Association
"The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) applauds the Ontario Government through the leadership of Premier Ford and David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for their proposed improvement to the presumptive coverage for firefighter occupational cancers. Last month, seventy-three more firefighters were inscribed on the Ontario Fallen Firefighter Memorial. A memorial that honours firefighters who have died in the line of duty and by occupational illness and now houses more than 1,000 names. This government’s commitment to the early detection and prevention of firefighter occupational cancer; and taking care of firefighters who have been diagnosed, or sadly succumbed to occupational illness, is incredibly commendable. It stands for a sincere desire to take care of those who took on the mission of taking care of others."
- Deputy Chief Rob Grimwood
President, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs
"Firefighters put service over self each day, stepping into dangerous situations to protect their communities. We commend the Ontario provincial government for recognizing the unique risks faced by firefighters. By introducing legislation to amend colorectal cancer presumption eligibility and kidney cancer presumption eligibility, they are taking significant steps to enhance the safety, health and wellness of our dedicated firefighters and fire investigators. These changes reflect a commitment to supporting those who selflessly serve our province."
- Robert Rutherford
President, Fire Fighters Association of Ontario
"Our firefighters deserve to be treated with the greatest respect and concern and that is exactly what we are doing. This announcement is further demonstration of how we are working to protect the fire service and ensure they are not faced with lasting challenges after putting their lives on the line for our province."
- Michael Kerzner
Solicitor General
"Wildland firefighters protect our communities and natural resources. Their selfless service often comes at a high cost, with increased risks of cancer due to exposure to harmful toxins. We are committed to ensuring these brave individuals receive the support they deserve by expanding cancer coverage, recognizing the unique challenges they face in the line of duty."
- Graydon Smith
Minister of Natural Resources
"Firefighters face unique dangerous exposures that can have long-term health consequences. With new scientific evidence highlighting the associations between these exposures and health conditions, this expanded coverage ensures comprehensive support for those who risk their lives for our communities. Equally important, it reinforces our commitment to prevention by acknowledging the need for enhanced safety measures and monitoring to mitigate the risks throughout a firefighter’s career."
- Dr. Joel Moody
Ontario Chief Prevention Officer
"These heroes do courageous work and we want take care of them as best we possibly can if they get sick. These changes would mean we are able to help faster with even more benefits and support. Our firefighting heroes are there when we need them and we're going to be there for them when they need us."
- Jeff Lang
WSIB CEO
"I’m proud to be part of a government that listens to the unique needs of Ontario’s firefighters. As an active-duty volunteer firefighter with the County of Brant Fire Service, I greatly appreciate that our government is expanding coverage for firefighters and know how it will mean so much to the many firefighters fire investigators, and volunteers in my community, across Ontario and to their families."
- Will Bouma
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Northern Development
"Our firefighters face unimaginable risks to protect our communities. I applaud the announcement today here in Hamilton and across Ontario that will expand WSIB coverage and stand up for the people who are on the front lines for us every day. This is about giving back to those who give everything for Ontario."
- Neil Lumsden
MPP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek
"As a volunteer firefighter and representative for a community with so many brave firefighters, I’ve seen first hand the sacrifices they make to keep us safe. Our government’s Working for Workers bills have a proven record of delivering for Ontario’s workers. By expanding WSIB presumptive coverage for occupational cancers, we’re answering the call of our firefighting community and reinforcing our commitment to safeguarding the health, dignity and livelihoods of those who serve. I commend Minister Piccini and Premier Doug Ford for their standing commitment to our frontline heroes."
- Steve Pinsonneault
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Rural Affairs