Presumptive Legislation for Ontario Firefighters Passes Unanimously at Queen's Park
Updated On: May 06, 2007 (18:00:00)
Download:  Hansard 3 May 2007.doc
May 4 2007: Following a morning announcement by Premier McGuinty, the Hon. Steve Peters, Minister of Labour, introduced Bill 221, The Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act (Presumptions for Firefighters) yesterday in the legislature. Following the bill's first reading, the Opposition Labour Critic, Jim Wilson (PC Simcoe-Grey) made a motion seeking unanimous consent that Bill 221 be sent for second and third readings. All members of the Legislature unanimously passed Bill 221. According to the Globe & Mail, only twice in its history has a bill passed with unanimous, all-party consent at first, second and third readings at Queen's Park.
The Bill, which was signed into law this morning, provides the authority for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations prescribing presumptions for occupational diseases for fire fighters. The cancers identified in a prepared regulation for Ontario's full-time fire fighters is as follows:
Brain (10 years);
Bladder (15 years);
Kidney (20 years);
Colorectal (10 years but must be diagnosed before 61st birthday);
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (20 years);
Leukemia (15 years);
Ureter (15 years);
Esophageal (25 years) and
Heart injury within 24 hours of fighting a fire.
The legislation will apply to fire fighter claims retroactive to 1 January 1960, as well as claims, such as Ottawa fire fighter Mark Johnston (family pictured above), that have been processed by the WSIB up to and including appeals and/or the tribunal may now be re-filed and applied within the established parameters.
OPFFA President Fred LeBlanc stated "we are obviously very pleased with the support of all three parties in yesterday's historic passing of this much needed legislation. Now many of our members and their families do not have to fear fighting the additional battle for recognition and can focus on their recovery and their families."
Further information on Bill 221 can be found at www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=1663
Background information on Bill 221 can be found at www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/news/2007/07-57b.html
Premier's Office News Release can be found at www.premier.gov.on.ca/news/Product.asp?ProductID=1205&Lang=EN
Statements by the Minister and MPPs in Hansard are on the download below.
For media coverage on the announcement click on the following links:
Toronto Sun
Toronto Star
Globe and Mail
Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Sun
London Free Press
Hamilton Spectator
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