Campbell Government denies Fire Fighters WCB Coverage

NDP supports presumptive legislation

Kelowna fire fighters have finally received an endorsement from the City of Kelowna this week in support of their efforts to have Presumptive Legislation passed in BC. Over the past three years Fire Fighters in BC have been working hard to have legislation passed that provides them with Workers Compensation should they develop certain cancers as a result of their employment.

“We want to congratulate the local fire fighters for all their efforts to secure the support of the city,” said John Pugsley, NDP candidate for Kelowna Lake Country. “It's great the city council is supportive and now it is time for Gordon Campbell to stop making excuses and support our firefighters.”

Carole James, leader of the BC NDP met with fire fighters and has expressed the party’s support for presumptive legislation. The legislation is required due to the higher than usual number of specific types of cancer seen in fire fighters and WCB’s failure to provide compensation to affected fire fighters.

“It’s wrong for WCB to deny claims from fire fighters in their time of need,” said Nicki Hokazono, NDP candidate in Kelowna-Mission. Hokazono met with local firefighters last fall to discuss the issue and attended a special meeting with Kelowna fire fighters and their families two weeks ago. “These people were there during the wild fire for us, its time we were there for them and their families in their hour of need.”

“We know fire fighters are affected by thousands of toxins, many of them cancer causing,” added NDP Okanagan-Westside candidate Joyce Procure. “Every time they enter a burning building they are at risk. The Campbell Government’s refusal to act is an affront to the people of our community and to the fire fighters that risk their lives to protect us.”

“The NDP will continue to work with firefighters here in the Okanagan and around BC to pass Presumptive legislation,” concluded Hokazono.


What is presumptive legislation?

Presumptive legislation presumes for the purpose of worker’s compensation that certain cancers are the result of employment.