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Cancer-related compensation on table, N.L. minister says

Last Updated: Thursday, July 26, 2007 | 7:32 AM NT

CBC News

The Newfoundland and Labrador government is considering legislation which would compensate workers who are diagnosed with job-related cancer.

Labour Minister Shawn Skinner has responded to a campaign by the St. John's Regional Firefighters Association to cover workers' compensation benefits for members diagnosed with certain types of cancers.

Labour Minister Shawn Skinner says government will soon decide on recommendations of a workers' compensation review panel.
(CBC)

The group says firefighters are more susceptible than other workers to developing cancer because of their working conditions.

In 2006, the firefighters made a case to a government-sponsored review panel that — by law — recommends changes to workers' compensation legislation.

Skinner told CBC News a subsequent recommendation is making its work through government channels.

"We feel it's something that we should look into and we are doing that," he said.

It's a part of the statuary review process. They're one of 34 recommendations [and] we will be making an announcement on the statuary review process in the near future."

David Burry, vice-president of the firefighters association, said a legislative change would improve the lot of members who developed cancer because they came into contact with carcinogens while fighting blazes.

"Right now, Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the very last provinces in Canada not to have an active presumptive cancer legislation," he said.

This story is now closed to commenting.

Internal Links

Firefighters push for workers' compensation changes

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