Alberta volunteer firefighters get compensation help for cancer risks

<p>EDMONTON – Alberta is extending compensation benefits to volunteer firefighters exposed to cancerous chemicals while battling blazes.</p> <p>Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk tabled amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act that will apply to 10,000 volunteer, part-time, and casual firefighters.</p> <p>Under Bill 20, firefighters will receive compensation for 14 presumptive cancers without shouldering the burden of proof, provided they have been regularly exposed to the hazards of a fire scene.</p> <p>The change brings these crews in line with the province’s 3,500 full-time firefighters.</p> <p>British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have similar coverage for part-time firefighters.</p> <p>Alberta’s opposition Liberals applauded the change, but wanted work done to see if it could be expanded to other workers facing similar risks from these cancers, such as farmers.</p>