November 1, 2005
Harry Bloy Supports Firefighter Compensation Changes
VICTORIA – The changes to the Workers Compensation Act placing B.C. among the leaders in recognizing the increased cancer risks faced by professional firefighters is being applauded by Harry Bloy.
“Firefighters place their lives on the line everyday and our government has always held them in highest of esteem,” said Bloy, MLA for Burquitlam. “I have met with local firefighters on many occasions and have strongly advocated on their behalf for these changes. This legislation is a victory for our province’s professional firefighters.”
The legislation introduced on Monday recognizes certain cancers as occupational diseases associated with long-term employment as a firefighter. These are: primary site brain cancer, primary site bladder cancer, primary site kidney cancer, primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, primary site ureter cancer, primary site colorectal cancer and primary leukemia.
The government informed WorkSafeBC (the Workers’ Compensation Board) of its intent to legislate this amendment on April 11, 2005. This change to the Workers Compensation Act creates what is called a “rebuttable presumption.” This means the onus will be on WorkSafeBC or the employer to bring forward proof to establish why an injured worker should not be eligible for compensation rather than placing the burden of proof on a sick firefighter.
“This is an important day for B.C.’s firefighters,” said Al Leier, president of the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Association. “Having the risk of cancer recognized as one of the hazards of our job is welcome news.”
Similar presumptions have been enacted for firefighters in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.
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