Regina, Sask., Dec. 16, 2024 – With the recent amendments to The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 (the Act), the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) now covers most firefighters in the province for six new types of cancer. That extends the total number of firefighter cancers covered by the WCB to 22.
"We are pleased to provide additional coverage for occupational cancers to Saskatchewan firefighters based on the amendments to the Act,” says WCB chair Gord Dobrowolsky. “These heroes often put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. This enhanced coverage is an important way for us to help support these brave firefighters and their families.”
Amendments to the firefighters’ presumptive coverage include cancer coverage for Saskatchewan firefighters for these cancers, which were not previously covered:
- primary-site penile cancer
- primary-site pancreatic cancer
- primary-site thyroid cancer
- primary-site soft tissue sarcoma
- primary-site mesothelioma
- primary-site laryngeal cancer
Primary site refers to the location on the body where the cancer first appears and grows from.
“For any full-time, part-time or volunteer firefighters who have one of the 22 covered primary-site cancers under our legislation, the cancer may be presumed to be an occupational disease,” says WCB CEO Phillip Germain. “Those firefighters may be eligible for WCB benefits, which helps us support firefighters and their families.”
The Workers’ Compensation General Regulations, 1985 provides the minimum period of employment required before a firefighter may be presumed to have an occupational disease.
The coverage applies to new injury claims submitted to the WCB. A firefighter with a previously denied claim in relation to one of these types of cancer can ask the WCB to reconsider that decision. The WCB will proactively review previously denied claims, however firefighters or their dependants can also contact the WCB directly to re-evaluate a previous decision.
As with all reported injuries and diseases, WCB staff will gather all relevant information to determine if the injury or disease arose out of and in the course of employment. Staff will determine entitlement based on the weight of that information.
To learn more and for a complete list of the types of covered firefighter cancers, minimum period of employment required, how to submit a claim to the WCB and additional amendments to the legislation, visit wcbsask.com/firefighter-occupational-disease-coverage.