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Ontario proposes legislation to expand WSIB coverage for firefighters

The province is also proposing to expand presumptive coverage to firefighters and fire investigators for skin cancer and lower the service time required for firefighters to receive compensation to 10 years from 15, bringing Ontario to the lowest required duration of service in the country.

With presumptive coverage, certain cancers, heart injuries, and PTSD diagnoses are presumed to be work-related, helping ensure quicker and easier access to WSIB benefits.

“In every corner of our province, firefighters, fire investigators, and volunteers put their lives on the line to keep our families and communities safe. These frontline heroes deserve a government that values their service and sacrifice – they have earned stronger, more expansive coverage,” said David Piccini, minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, in a press release.

Growing scientific evidence shows that firefighters, including wildland firefighters, are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer because of their exposure to carcinogens and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in fireground dust.

“Studies have shown that firefighters have a 21 per cent higher risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, even though it represents only one per cent of all skin cancers,” said Greg Horton, president of the Ontario Professional Firefighters Association, in a press release.

The new proposals aim build on four previous Working for Workers acts. In June 2023, Ontario expanded presumptive occupational cancer coverage for firefighters and fire investigators to include primary site thyroid and pancreatic cancers, while Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 lowered the required employment period for primary-site esophageal cancer to 15 years from 25, as well as “super indexing” WSIB benefits above the annual rate of inflation.

These changes are part of a larger package that will expand on policy introduced in the Working for Workers Acts, 2021, 2022, 2023. The full list of proposed changes is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.