The Minister of Health for Canada, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, P.C., M.P., has platformed Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.
She recognized Canada’s everyday heroes and reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to improving their access to cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.
The Honourable Marjorie Michel, P.C., M.P. explained: “Every day, firefighters across the country risk their lives to keep our communities safe.
“While they are protecting us, their work exposes them to fire, smoke and toxic chemicals, placing them at significantly higher risk of developing cancer.
“Cancer remains the leading cause of job-related deaths for firefighters in Canada.
“In 2024, we launched the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting to guide our efforts to raise awareness of and improve access to care and health outcomes for firefighters.
“Over the past year, we have engaged with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous partners and firefighters to inform next steps.
“Over the next four years, the framework will assist in developing diagnostic guidelines for early identification of cancers associated with firefighting, raising awareness and fostering collaboration within the firefighter sector and advancing the Canadian Standards for Wildland Firefighters. “
Michel continued, sharing that the Government of Canada we will continue to engage with its partners and stakeholders through the recently launched National Advisory Group on Cancers Linked to Firefighting to share outcomes and align efforts.
This includes work with Statistics Canada as they develop a Firefighter Cancer Registry to track health outcomes across firefighter populations.
The Minister of Health for Canada, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, P.C., M.P., has platformed Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.
