The Ontario government plans to introduce new legislation that would grant wildland firefighters and investigators the same presumptive WSIB coverage as municipal firefighters for cancers, heart injuries, and PTSD. Additionally, the province aims to extend presumptive coverage to include skin cancer for firefighters and fire investigators, while reducing the service time needed for compensation from 15 to 10 years, making Ontario’s requirement the lowest in the country. This move towards presumptive coverage means that certain diagnoses will be assumed to be work-related, facilitating faster and smoother access to WSIB benefits.
The government is proposing amendments to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) aimed at reducing the employment duration requirement for presumptive coverage of primary-site skin cancer from 15 years to 10 for firefighters. This change seeks to expedite and simplify firefighters’ access to benefits. Scientific research increasingly indicates that firefighters, including those in wildland settings, face heightened risks of developing skin cancer due to their exposure to carcinogens and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in fireground dust.
These proposed revisions build upon advancements made through four prior Working for Workers acts. In June 2023, Ontario broadened presumptive occupational cancer coverage for firefighters and fire investigators, encompassing primary site thyroid and pancreatic cancers. This expansion streamlined their access to WSIB compensation and services. The Working for Workers Four Act of 2024 also reduced the mandatory employment period for primary-site esophageal cancer from 25 to 15 years and introduced “super indexing” of WSIB benefits beyond the annual inflation rate, relieving sick individuals from financial burdens while they focus on their health.
These adjustments are part of a comprehensive initiative to enhance previous measures enacted in the Working for Workers Acts of 2021, 2022, and 2023. The forthcoming unveiling of these reforms is intended to safeguard workers, bolster their earnings, and facilitate newcomers in contributing to Ontario’s development. By prioritizing the well-being of workers, the province aims to cultivate a brighter future for all residents and maintain its reputation as a premier destination for living, working, and raising families.
Quotes from key individuals involved in the announcement:
“Wildland firefighting is a respected and challenging career in our natural resources sector. Our changes would support these frontline workers who work tirelessly to keep us safe, by improving their access to benefit entitlements and making them eligible for the same presumptive benefits as all other firefighters and fire investigators. Our government will continue to make investments that support fire rangers and protect northern communities.”
“Supporting the brave and dedicated heroes that protect our communities is another way the government is ensuring that Ontario is safe, practiced and prepared for emergencies. The province continues to make substantial investments to ensure that our partners across Ontario have the resources and tools necessary to prepare for, and respond to, emergencies, now and in the future.”
“All firefighters are a priority for our government. The additional coverage and support that this legislation will enable, if passed, is further evidence of our government’s dedication to supporting the fire service. We are cutting red tape to ensure those who need coverage can receive it when they need it while bringing increased awareness to selfless dedication and risk that all firefighters experience daily while keeping our province safe.”
“The changes announced today are an important step to allow the WSIB to be there to help firefighters when they need us. We are ready to support firefighters if they suffer from occupational illness.”
“We value the contribution of all our firefighters. As the science continues to evolve, we need to continue to identify practices, procedures and technologies that can help protect them against heart injuries and cancers, including of the skin. Many of the pollutants emitted by wildfires are known human carcinogens, and last summer the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans, without making a distinction between municipal and wildland firefighters.”
“The cornerstone of Ontario’s efforts to combat wildfires is a dedicated corps of hundreds of wildland firefighters/rangers, who risk their lives to protect and defend 90 million hectares of Crown land. Whether speaking with municipal or wildland firefighters, the concerns that keep these protectors of our communities up at night, are consistent. What we have learned over the last few decades, including from my own experiences as a volunteer firefighter and member of a crew, is that there are profound physical and mental health consequences for these first responders who serve to protect people and property. Despite over 15 years of appealing to the former government for recognition of the very real dangers our wildland firefighters face each time they defend our forests and our people, nothing was done. Now, I am so proud and honoured to say that through the genuine dedication of The Honourable David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and our government in hearing directly from our firefighters and the medical community, this latest version of the Working for Workers legislation provides recognition of our wildland firefighters/rangers as first responders entrusted with public safety just as their municipal counterparts.”
“I am pleased to be part of a government that prioritizes and listens to the unique needs of Ontario’s frontline emergency workers. As an active-duty volunteer firefighter with the County of Brant Fire Service, I know first-hand the supports that have been announced today will improve the lives of many workers and their families alike.”
“On behalf of the City of Brantford, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our provincial partners for their consistent support to our Emergency Services and first responders. These measures will provide security and support to those who serve our community with courage and dedication on a daily basis.”
