Ontario Fire Fighters Applaud New Presumptive Regulations

April 30, 2014

TORONTO – Ontario’s professional fire fighters applaud today’s announcement from Premier Wynne and Ministers Flynn and Naqvi which adds 6 new cancers to the list of diseases presumed to be job-related for the purpose of WSIB benefits.

Mark McKinnon, president of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA), said that he is grateful that the government recognized the frightening reality that fire fighters are exposed to countless toxic substances in the course of their duties.

“Even with the best protection available, fire fighters are exposed to cancer-causing toxins from chemicals and plastics through the air and their skin,” McKinnon said. “Today’s announcement will allow fire fighters and their families to focus on getting better instead of on struggling to get WSIB benefits for an illness that could have been contracted years earlier.”

The government announcement builds on presumptive legislation passed in 2007 that deemed brain, bladder, kidney, urethra, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and heart injury within 24 hours after fighting a fire to be occupational in fire fighters.

It also recognizes that fire fighters have a dangerous job that can have many different consequences, sometimes lasting years.

“We thank the Ontario government – Premier Wynne and Ministers Flynn and Naqvi in particular – for their efforts on our behalf,” said McKinnon. “When we first started advocating for this change, we said that our message to all Ontarians is: ‘We protect your families. Please protect ours.’ It is clear that this government heard our message.”

Mark McKinnon
President, Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association
(905) 242-2460
mmckinnon@opffa.org

Presumptive Legislation for Cancers in Firefighters - WSIB

Heart Injuries in Firefighters - WSIB

ONTARIO REGULATION 253/07 FIREFIGHTERS