The provincial government is expanding cancer coverage for firefighters.
Premier Doug Ford says they will be lowering the eligibility requirement for certain cancers including kidney cancer to being on the job for at least 20 years down to 10 years and the province will also propose to remove the requirement that a firefighter’s primary-site colorectal diagnosis must be made before the age of 61.
“We’ve already expanded presumptive cancer coverage to reflect the long-term risks firefighters take on as part of their job every day and we’re building on that progress,” Ford announced during a press conference at a fire hall in Hamilton.
Ford says they are introducing legislation next week to make it faster and easier to access Workplace Safety and Insurance Board benefits.
The premier also says the coverage will include not only municipal firefighters, but fire investigators and wildland firefighters.
