“It’s a good thing.”

That’s the reaction from La Broquerie’s fire chief in hearing about province announcing more cancers are added to the list of diseases that firefighters can claim coverage for under the Workers Compensation Act.

Al Nadeau says it’s good to hear the acknowledgement of the increased health risk for firefighters and the work they're doing.

“We are exposed to many more things than the average person,” he says, adding that he’s hearing positive reaction to the announcement.

When a firefighter is diagnosed with one of the 19 cancers that are now on the list, it will be presumed to be an occupational disease unless the contrary is proven.