Fire fighters in Prince Edward Island are welcoming the addition of five new cancers to the list of those presumed occupational, while those in the Northwest Territories are throwing their support behind groundbreaking legislation that would cover all forms of cancer, along with post-traumatic stress and heart injuries.
On June 23, Prince Edward Island’s Workers Compensation Board added cervical, ovarian, penile, pancreatic and thyroid cancer to the list of occupational cancers presumed to be linked to firefighting, bringing the total number of covered cancers to 19.
The additional coverage is the result of persistent advocacy by the Atlantic Provinces Professional Fire Fighters Association (APPFFA) and Charlottetown, PE Local 5219, the province’s sole IAFF affiliate.
Spencer Waite, APPFFA vice president for PEI, said the push for cancer coverage has spanned more than a decade, and it’s gratifying to see the province on par with most other jurisdictions in Canada. He noted the progress was the result of a collaborative effort that drew on research and legislative gains made in other provinces and territories.
“In the last three decades, we are unaware of any of our Charlottetown union fire fighters retiring healthy. It gives me as a union leader a great deal of comfort and it gives our members comfort to have these new protections in place.”
Waite also credited APPFFA vice president for Newfoundland and Labrador Jim O’Toole, a cancer survivor, for contributing vital research, and former Winnipeg Local 867 President Alex Forrest for his longtime advocacy. He also recognized former 5219 Executive Board member Allan Tilley, who has spent the past decade advocating exposure reduction both inside and outside the firehall “each and every day.”
I think it will be huge. It’s important for the members’ peace of mind, knowing if they get sick, someone’s got their back.
Local 2890 President Christian Bittrolff
In the Northwest Territories, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kieron Testart introduced a bill in late May to expand cancer coverage from 14 types of cancer to all forms of cancers, with only two years of service required for eligibility.
The legislation, introduced following years of advocacy by Yellowknife Local 2890, would also amend the NWT’s Worker’s Compensation Act to add post-traumatic stress injury coverage for the first time and expand heart injury coverage by removing the current 24-hour post-duty time restriction.
If passed, the legislation will take effect in October, making the Northwest Territories the first jurisdiction in Canada to offer all-cancer coverage for fire fighters.
Local 2890 President Christian Bittrolff, who recently testified in support of the legislation during committee hearings, said he is optimistic about its progress and proud of what it will mean for Yellowknife fire fighters.
“I think it will be huge. It’s important for the members’ peace of mind, knowing if they get sick, someone’s got their back.”
Bittrolff expressed his gratitude to the Alberta Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Association for assisting with research, MLA Testart for introducing the legislation and MLAs Richard Edjericon and Robert Hawkins for their early backing.
