Cancer-Stricken Firefighters May Get Break - Ontario

Cancer-Stricken Firefighters May Get Break - Ontario

It may soon be easier for Ontario firefighters to qualify for compensation
when they develop cancer.

Labour Minister Steve Peters will introduce a bill to remove the onus from
veteran firefighters to prove that any cancer is job-related.

Peters says firefighters who feel their cancer was caused by exposure to
burning chemicals won't have to fight the Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board.

But he says just because it's presumed to be a job-related illness doesn't
mean a claim will be automatically accepted.

Peters says the WSIB will also consider lifestyle factors such as smoking
before accepting a firefighter's claim.

New Democrat Andrea Horwath says the Board has denied about two-thirds of
the claims by firefighters in recent years