Summary

• Changes to the Workers Compensation Act will add eight more cancers to the workers’ compensation cancer presumptions for firefighters
• The eight cancers include: skin cancer, mesothelioma, soft tissue sarcoma, as well as laryngeal, tracheal, bronchial, nose, and pharynx cancers
• B.C. will have the most comprehensive firefighter cancer presumptions in Canada

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Firefighters will have improved access to workers’ compensation benefits and support services, in recognition of their higher risk of developing work-related cancers.

“People in British Columbia count on firefighters in moments of crisis,” said Premier David Eby. “Whether battling house fires or wildfires, or responding to traumatic events, firefighters go above and beyond. We're making sure they have support when they need it most.”

Eight additional cancers will be added to the list of diseases presumed to be linked to the work done by firefighters. The changes will make B.C. the province with the most comprehensive coverage of presumptive cancers in Canada, applying to more than 15,000 career, volunteer and federal firefighters, provincial wildfire fighters, fire investigators and firefighters employed by First Nations and Indigenous organizations in the province.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line for us in our time of need,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour. “And they bear the toll of physical and emotional exposure to hazardous conditions in their work. The changes announced today continues the years of work we have done together with firefighters, to ensure that the supports provided by the workers’ compensation system keep up with the changing realities of their work.”

The Province is amending the Firefighters' Occupational Disease Regulation under the Workers Compensation Act by adding eight cancers to the existing list of 18 considered to be occupationally acquired for firefighters. The cancers being added are: skin cancer, mesothelioma, soft tissue sarcoma, as well as laryngeal, tracheal, bronchial, nose, and pharynx cancers.

If a firefighter develops one of the listed cancers after a certain period of employment, it is presumed that the cancer arose from exposure during their employment. The firefighter is then eligible for workers’ compensation benefits without having to prove the cancer is work-related. 

The Province will continue to look at emerging scientific findings and research when considering future updates.

Presumptive cancer coverage

The Workers’ Compensation Act was amended in 2005 to establish presumption for firefighters, listing eight cancers.

The minimum employment period to be eligible for the existing esophageal cancer presumption has also been reduced from 20 years to 15 years.

These improvements support government’s priority to build a safe and strong economy, ensuring workers who face higher rates of workplace illness as a result of their conditions of work are better supported. The Province will bring the changes into force as soon as possible once approved by cabinet.

“Expanding the list of presumptive cancers and lowering the cumulative service for esophageal cancer acknowledges the risks we face on the job,” said Todd Schierling, president, British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA). “It also underscores the commitment by the provincial government to the health and safety of all firefighters. This is the strongest set of protections in the country, and the BCPFFA will continue to advocate for the health, safety, and support for all members.”

Firefighters are still eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for work-related cancers that fall outside of the scope of the cancer presumptions. For example, if they develop a cancer not on the list or if they were employed for less than the specified minimum period of employment.

“As fire seasons become longer and more intense, exposure becomes a greater risk for wildland firefighters,” said Sebastian Kallos, Component 20 vice-president, BC General Employees’ Union. “British Columbia is one of only five provinces in the country that provides this coverage for wildland firefighters, and these changes recognize some of the risks they face. The provincial government is taking appropriate steps to support those who put themselves between fires and communities.”

Quick Facts:

• While firefighters represent only 0.5% of the provincial workforce, they account for 35% of all accepted cancer claims at WorkSafeBC between 2010 and 2025.
• Professional and volunteer firefighters in B.C. have access to workers’ compensation related to cancer and other occupational diseases.
• They include approximately 4,320 career firefighters, 8,800 volunteer firefighters, 700 firefighters employed by First Nations or Indigenous organizations, and more than 1,500 wildland firefighters employed by the Province.
• Since changes made in 2018 and 2019, the presumption also includes fire investigators, as well as firefighters under federal jurisdiction working in B.C., including those employed by the federal Department of National Defence at military bases in B.C.

Learn More:

• Learn more about WorkSafeBC's Occupational Disease Claims here: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/claims/report-workplace-injury-illness/occupational-diseases
• To learn more about strethening health care in B.C., visit the StrongerHealthCare website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/strengthening-health-care
• For more information about B.C. legislation, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/legislation