British Columbia is set to expand its presumptive cancer legislation for firefighters, following commitments by the New Democratic Party (NDP) government.
After the NDP secured a majority in the provincial election on October 19, the party pledged to amend existing laws to recognize all cancers as occupational for firefighters with only a two-year employment requirement, as reported by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
Currently, the province covers 18 types of cancer for firefighters, with eligibility ranging from 10 to 20 years of service.
When enacted, this legislation would make British Columbia the first Canadian province to include all cancers in its presumptive coverage.
The NDP has also committed to working with the Canadian government on implementing the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting, an initiative enacted under Bill C-224 in 2023.
This framework aims to address the health risks firefighters face across Canada, expanding protections and awareness.
IAFF General President Edward Kelly emphasized the importance of this development for firefighter health, stating: “Occupational cancer is the scourge of our profession, and this advance – made possible by the strong work of our brothers and sisters in the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association – acknowledges the serious health risks fire fighters face.
“Expanding presumptive coverage will save lives and protect families.”
During the election, the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA) maintained a nonpartisan stance, collaborating with all parties to discuss member needs.
In addition to the NDP, the BC Conservative Party also committed to all-cancer presumption with a two-year latency period after meeting with BCPFFA representatives.
BCPFFA President Todd Schierling expressed support for the election outcomes, noting: “All three parties demonstrated support for fire fighter issues.
“The election was extremely close, but in the end, we’re moving forward with solid commitments strengthening our position on key issues that will deliver important benefits to our members and their families.”
The BCPFFA’s recent achievements build on the foundation laid by past leaders, including the late Robert E. Hall, a former BCPFFA Secretary-Treasurer whose advocacy contributed to the province’s first presumptive cancer legislation in 2005.
Schierling highlighted Hall’s legacy, saying: “We could not have achieved this without the unified efforts of the entire IAFF.”
Moving forward, the BCPFFA plans to address additional legislative priorities with Premier David Eby’s government.
These include making all cancer presumptions retroactive to 1970, removing PFAS chemicals from firefighter workplaces, securing mental health resilience funding, and advocating for the integration of IAFF Responding to the Interface training in the provincial wildfire curriculum.
British Columbia has consistently expanded its firefighter health protections under the NDP government.
Over the past seven years, new measures included reduced employment periods for some cancers, added coverage for occupational stress injuries, indexed disability payments, and expanded EMS scope of practice.
Additionally, the federal government has allocated $12.29 million over five years, plus annual funding of $220,000, for cancer-related initiatives linked to firefighting, which complements the provincial advances on health protections.
Schierling emphasized the impact of these national efforts, saying: “This builds on the work that MP Sherry Romanado, General President [Edward] Kelly and Chris Ross, President from Montreal Local 125 have done.”
British Columbia is set to become the first province in Canada to recognize all cancers as occupational for firefighters, requiring only two years of service.
The NDP’s recent election victory solidified commitments to expand presumptive coverage, collaborate on the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting, and address various health and safety priorities for firefighters.
This includes continued support for mental health initiatives, reduction of harmful PFAS chemicals in workplaces, and the integration of specialized training for wildfire response.
The federal government has also allocated funding for cancer-related health measures, enhancing provincial protections for firefighters in British Columbia.
