Across Canada, firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe, including by helping to fight wildland fires that have increased in severity in recent years due to climate change. Because of their regular exposure to toxic chemicals from burning materials and firefighting foams, firefighters face a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer, and a higher risk of dying from cancer, than the general public.
Today, Parliamentary Secretary for the Prime Minister an Member of Parliament for Winnipeg SouthTerry Duguid, on behalf of the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, highlighted the tabling of the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting in Parliament on October 7, 2024, and reiterated the investment of $12.29 million over five years and $220,000 ongoing to advance firefighter health and safety.
New federal actions will focus on raising awareness and promoting information sharing, generating scientific knowledge, and developing guidance and addressing training needs.
Health Canada will convene stakeholders to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefighting, mobilize partners and identify opportunities for coordinated action. Key actions include establishing a national advisory group with all orders of government, Indigenous partners, and key stakeholders, as well as developing online resources of accessible health information.
In order to track health outcomes across firefighter populations and to better understand firefighter cancer incidence and mortality, the Government will establish a National Firefighter Cancer Registry, led by Statistics Canada, to track health outcomes over time. Health Canada will also initiate targeted research on cancers linked to firefighting to build scientific evidence for underrepresented sub-populations of firefighters.
New investments will support the development of guidance for diagnostic testing and new tools to address training needs within the health care sector. This could lead to earlier diagnoses that may result in better health outcomes. To address gaps in equipment and health and safety standards, investments will also support the development of standards for wildland firefighters to support improved occupational health and safety for their unique needs. These prevention efforts will reduce the burden and costs to the health care system.
Following Royal Assent of the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act in June 2023, Health Canada engaged with firefighter organizations, researchers, health care providers, other federal departments, Indigenous partners, and all orders of government to inform the Framework and federal actions. In keeping with the intent of the Framework, Health Canada will continue to convene and engage partners to inspire collective action to better protect all firefighters in Canada from occupational cancers.
Quotes
“Cancer is the leading cause of job-related deaths for firefighters in Canada, and we need to do our part to protect those that protect us each and every day. This funding will go a long way to support vital research, outline opportunities for action, and the development of guidance for diagnostic testing.”
Terry Duguid
Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South
"Every day, firefighters put their lives at risk to save ours. Their dangerous work comes with an increased risk of cancer, and we need to address that. That's why we're announcing new measures to better prevent, detect and treat cancers linked to firefighting. We all need to work together to ensure those that keep us safe are protected.”
The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
“This announcement significantly moves the needle on the long overdue issue of establishing a National Firefighter Cancer Registry and providing guidance for training and diagnostic testing of Firefighters for our health care professionals. In Winnipeg, we fight fires on an unprecedented level. Our members’ health is paramount. They need to know that our federal Government has their backs. This funding and registry will assist all Canadian Fire Fighters in proper screening, early detection and ultimately decreased deaths by occupational cancers for Firefighters. For that, we say thank you.”
Tom Bilous
President
United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg (UFFW)
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