Expanded cancer benefits for firefighters announced in Hamilton

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was in Hamilton Friday morning to announce changes in the province's benefits coverage for firefighters with cancer. 

At a press conference at Hamilton Fire's training facility on Hamilton Mountain, the Premier said the province is cutting the required number of years of service from 20 years to 10 years. This benefit applies to firefighters with primary-site kidney cancer. 

This is the latest in a series of changes to firefighter cancer benefits through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Last year, the province extended coverage for thyroid and pancreatic cancers. Earlier this year the province extended it to esophageal cancer and skin cancer. 

According to an Ontario Government press release, firefighters have a high rate of cancer diagnoses and are four times more likely to die from cancer. For the 12,000 full time and 18,000 volunteer firefighters in Ontario, cancer is considered a workplace injury, because of the toxic fumes and chemicals firefighters encounter while on the job. 

Flamborough-Glanbrook MPP Donna Skelly reminded politicians, firefighters and members of the media at the announcement of the Plastimet fire of 1997 in Hamilton. 

"The worst environmental disaster in Canadian history occurred right here in our city... A fire broke out at a recycling facility and it burned for four days, and our firefighters entered the building without hesitation," she said. 

Hamilton Firefighters were exposed to toxic chemicals during the fire, which burned through 400-tonnes of PVC piping. Hamilton Fire Captain Bob Shaw later died of cancer, which was attributed to the Plastimet fire. At the time of his death, Mayor Andrea Horwath was a Hamilton MPP and called for extended care for firefighters exposed to chemicals. 

Ford said the benefit changes announced Friday are the start of a package the province will roll out in the coming weeks that will focus on workplace supports. 

"Our government wants to make sure our heroes on the front line are taken care of as well," Ford said.