Ontario firefighters will get improved cancer coverage under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Premier Doug Ford was at the Hamilton Fire Hall this morning to make the announcement. Under the proposed changes, firefighter coverage for primary kidney cancer would be improved by reducing the required length of service from 20 to 10 years, which would be the lowest length of service in Canada. The province will also propose removing the requirement that firefighters have their primary colorectal diagnosis before age 61. These changes will ensure that firefighters, including wildland firefighters, and fire investigators can access benefits through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) more quickly and easily.

“Firefighters and investigators make major sacrifices to keep our communities, properties and families safe, and we owe it to them to always have their backs,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We’ve already extended presumptive cancer cover to reflect the long-term risks firefighters take as part of their work every day, and we’re building on this progress to help our frontline heroes get the cover they deserve .”

Firefighters die from cancer at up to four times the rate of the general population. Presumptive coverage under the WSIB simplifies the assessment of certain firefighter WSIB claims by assuming that the worker’s injury or occupational disease is work-related, making it faster and easier for firefighters to access WSIB benefits and services.

“While some people are running away from danger, firefighters, investigators and volunteers are running towards it. These heroes keep our families and communities safe and deserve a government that values ​​their service and sacrifice,” said David Piccini, Minister for Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. ”

Nineteen types of cancer are currently included in the WSIB’s presumptive coverage. There are over 12,000 full-time professional firefighters in Ontario, over 500 part-time personnel and over 18,000 volunteer firefighters. More than 1,000 people worked as firefighters and wildfire investigators during the 2023 fire season.

Earlier this week, Ford announced it would cut WSIB rates and return about $2 billion in WSIB surpluses to employers with better safety records.