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N.L. government proposing to expand cancer coverage for firefighters

Oct. 19, 2022, St. John’s, N.L. – The government of Newfoundland is proposing to expanded presumptive cancer and cardiac coverage for career and volunteer firefighters.

If approved, this legislation will result in an expansion of coverage to include eight more cancers: prostate, multiple myeloma, cervical, ovarian, penile, pancreatic, thyroid and skin, as well as cardiac events that occur within 24 hours of a firefighter responding to an emergency.

Expanding presumptive coverage for career and volunteer firefighters in the province to include additional cancers and certain cardiac events was a recommendation of the 2019 Statutory Review.

The proposed amendments to the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act will receive Second Reading in the House of Assembly on Tuesday.

There are approximately 450 career firefighters and 5,900 volunteer firefighters in Newfoundland and Labrador.