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REGINA, Saskatchewan, Canada - Legislation to compensate firefighters who suffer from certain types of cancer or job-related heart injuries has been given second reading in the legislative assembly.
Under the Worker’s Compensation Amendment Act, ureter, colorectal and testicular cancer as well as lung cancer in non-smokers would be considered occupational diseases for full-time professional firefighters in the province.
That would allow them to be covered by Workers’ Compensation Board.
Also, a firefighter suffering a heart injury within 24 hours of an emergency response would be considered occupation-related.
Gerry Huget, president of the Saskatchewan Professional Fire Fighters Association, along with 20 firefighters from all over the province were in attendance in the House when Labour Minister Deb Higgins gave the legislation second reading.