The legislation to expand cancer coverage for firefighters, including wildland firefighters, has been formally introduced at Queen’s Park.
It is included in the recent Working for Workers Six Act, adding to five previous acts to improve the protection of workers in the workplace.
Along with the expanded cancer coverage, the proposed bill would enhance the safety of road construction workers, create new protected leave for those dealing with a serious illness or the adoption of a child, and ensure that properly fitting protective equipment and clothing are available to women in trades.
Labour Minister David Piccini says the expanded cancer coverage for firefighters will lower the years of work to ten years required for presumptive coverage for kidney cancer.
“These are people who serve our communities, and they often suffer in silence. And they deserve to know that as they keep our community safe, running into fire, they have a government who will protect them and protect their families,” says Piccini.
The legislation also enhances Ontario’s move-over law in place to protect emergency personnel and tow truck operators working at the side of the road.
Piccini says drivers will also have to slow down and move over safely through road construction sites.
“Penalties for violating these laws could include fines of up to $2,000 for your first offence or $4,000 for your subsequent offence, three demerit points, suspension of your driver’s license and possible jail time for the worst offenders.”
The bill also plans to crack down on businesses and individuals exploiting newcomers in the workplace with the creation of new standards that must be met under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
“And if they don’t meet these standards, we will throw the book at them by increasing fines, five-fold, multi-year bans and lifetime bans for the most serious crimes like human trafficking.”
Other proposed measures contained in the legislation include WSIB changes that will lead to refunds for businesses and workers and additional funding for health and wellness initiatives of workers.
