Ontario Expanding Cancer Coverage for Firefighters

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.

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