Improving cancer coverage for firefighters and fire investigators has been made a top priority by the province.
New legislation is going to be introduced that would lower the duration of employment needed to receive presumed compensation prior to diagnosis with esophageal cancer from 25 to 15 years.
Lexi Bowman was at the announcement in Welland and shared the story of her father, Captain Craig Bowman.
“Esophageal cancer is a highly fatal cancer that is rarely detected until the cancer is in its advanced stage, recent research has shown that the appropriate latency period should be 15 years,” said Greg Horton, President of the Ontario Professional Firefighters Association. “We thank Ontario’s elected leaders for recognizing that the legislation requires updating to ensure that firefighters, such as Welland Captain Craig Bowman, don’t slip through the cracks, and that they and their families receive fair treatment should they become ill, disabled or die because of their occupation and service to the public.”
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills, David Piccini says this is an important step.
To help workers dealing with a critical illness, Piccini says the government will be launching consultations on a new, job-protected leave to match the length of federal Employment Insurance sickness benefits, which is 26 weeks.
Additionally, the legislation would enable “super indexing” increases to Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits above the annual rate of inflation. For an injured worker who earns $70,000 a year, a two per cent increase could mean an additional $900 annually on top of cost-of-living adjustments, which were 6.5 per cent in 2023.
Written by: Jordan Mercier
