Changes to the laws that categorize forest firefighters to offer long-term coverage for health hazards related to the job have been a long-standing request.
RELATED: Amid dozes of forest fires in Ontario the Ford government is facing political heat over the cause of the blazes. Global News’ Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Colin D’Mello reports – Jun 7, 2023Ontario is set to fulfill a long-standing request of wildland firefighters by including them in health care rules that cover some cancers, heart injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder related to their work.
Wildland firefighters are generally employed on seasonal contracts and, as a result, have been subject to lower protections than their full-time structural colleagues. The legislative change — part of a broader package of new rules for workers and workplaces across Ontario — will add presumptive coverage for forest firefighters to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the government said.
The Ontario NDP welcomed the news, calling it a “long-awaited” victory in a battle to improve conditions for forest firefighters.“After years of being denied the protection they deserve, forest firefighters have finally received what they have been asking for,” said Guy Bourgouin, NDP critic for natural resources and forestry, in a statement.
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