FRANCAIS

May 01, 2002

Labour and Immigration Minister Becky Barrett today introduced proposed amendments to the Workers Compensation Act recognizing the link between the exposure to hazards faced by full-time firefighters and certain diseases.

The proposed changes reflect the findings of recent medical and scientific studies which show a strong association between the working conditions experienced by full-time firefighters over time and the occurrence of certain diseases.

"This new amendment recognizes that there are health risks faced by Manitoba's full-time firefighters in the course of their duties each day," said Barrett. "There is now enough data to support a link between hazards encountered on duty by these firefighters and their susceptibility to certain illnesses in later years."

Bill 5 would make Manitoba the only Canadian jurisdiction to have a law presuming that certain diseases are caused by firefighting. The amendments would require that the firefighters' exposure to the hazardous conditions take place over a number of years which would be specified in regulation. The amendment would apply to full-time firefighters who contract primary site brain, bladder or kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or leukemia.

The proposed changes would not apply to part-time or forest firefighters. Studies show that full-time firefighters are exposed to different carcinogens and toxins and for longer periods than other responders.

"This action is based on the most up-to-date evidence and acknowledges the risks faced by these professionals in their service to Manitobans every day," said Barrett. "It will facilitate evaluation of potential compensation claims in this profession."

The new provisions will assist full-time firefighters in making disease claims with the Workers Compensation Board (WBC).

The WCB is a not-for-profit accident and disability insurance agency established in 1917. Workers compensation is funded by employer premiums.

There are about 1,000 full-time and 500 retired full-time firefighters in Manitoba.

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