Manitoba proposes adding 2 more cancers to WCB for firefighters

8 cancers and heart injuries already recognized as work-related diseases for firefighters

Manitoba has proposed adding esophageal and primary site testicular cancer to a list of occupational cancers covered by workers' compensation for firefighters.

The proposed changes, put forth by Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan, would amend the Workers' Compensation Act to add the two diseases to the list of occupational disease presumptions for firefighters.

“These amendments would apply to full, part-time and volunteer firefighters,” said Allan.

In 2002 Manitoba became the first jurisdiction to have a firefighter presumption including brain and kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia.

Since then, the Workers Compensation Act was amended to expand the presumption to part-time and volunteer firefighters and to add bladder, ureter, colorectal cancers and lung cancers in non-smokers along with presuming heart injuries within 24 hours of an emergency response to be work-related injuries.

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