The Manitoba government is adding five cancers to the list that firefighters will be able to claim coverage for under the Workers Compensation Act.

The Act had 14 types of presumptive cancers. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson explains that when a firefighter is diagnosed with one of these cancers, it will be presumed to be an occupational disease unless the contrary is proven. This pertains to firefighters and at-risk personnel in the Manitoba Fire Commissioner's Office.

The five cancers being added to the Act are primary site thyroid, pancreatic, ovarian, cervical and penile cancer.

"What this does, is it treats a person who is diagnosed or sadly if they succumb to that cancer, the same way as if they were in a fire and they die in a house collapse," explains Alex Forrest, President of the Manitoba Professional Firefighters Association. "They will be protected by Workers Compensation."

"Each and every single day, firefighters in every community of our province put their lives at risk to help those in need and for that, we are deeply grateful,” says Stefanson. "We recognize firefighters are at a heightened risk of contracting various cancers due to the nature of their work and the inevitable exposure to carcinogens on the job, despite all efforts to prevent and mitigate exposure risks. We are pleased to work with the firefighters association to make these changes that will enhance supports and benefits for their members."

Forrest calls this an incredible day.

"Legislation that will assure that women firefighters are going to be given what they deserve to ensure that they are going to be covered for the same types of occupational reproductive cancers that their male counterparts are," adds Forrest.

He adds this will make Manitoba's legislation one of the strongest in the world.

The first list of presumptive cancers for firefighters was added to the Act in 2002. The list was expanded in 2005, with coverage extended to part-time firefighters. The list was further expanded in 2009, and again in 2011, along with the addition of coverage for Fire Commissioner personnel.