Quebec is adding six types of cancer to the list of illnesses officially recognized as being linked to firefighting.
Under the presumption policy, firefighters diagnosed with one of the recognized cancers will no longer need to prove a causal connection between their illness and their work. This will allow them to receive compensation much more quickly and will reduce the administrative burden.
Labour Minister Jean Boulet made the announcement Friday in Trois-Rivières.
The new cancers added to the list are colorectal cancer, leukemia, and cancers of the brain, testicles, esophagus, and breast. This brings the total number of cancers officially recognized as occupational diseases for firefighters to 16.
The others already included are lung cancer, kidney cancer, pleural and non-pleural mesothelioma, bladder cancer, laryngeal cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) estimates that about 50 people could have their illnesses recognized as work-related and be compensated in the years following the changes.
“Those who were diagnosed before the new regulation takes effect — it will be published in the Gazette officielle next week and come into force 15 days after publication — and who file a claim now, it will be assessed under the new presumptive cancers announced today,” Boulet said in an interview.
The Montreal Firefighters Association and the Regroupement des associations de pompiers du Québec (RAPQ) welcomed the news.
“On behalf of all firefighters in the province, we’re very grateful,” said Chris Ross, who heads both organizations.
“A work-related illness is never easy, and having to fight with the CNESST afterwards is not straightforward. So having recognition through presumption — something that exists across the country — is definitely something we’ve been waiting on for a long time.”
Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters. According to Health Canada, firefighters have a 14 per cent higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general population.
In the course of their duties, firefighters are often exposed to smoke from fires, toxic chemicals released by burning materials, and fire-suppressing foams.
“These are people who put their health at risk every day they go to work to protect others,” said Boulet. “There are fires, structural collapses, toxic substances, hazardous materials that settle on their gear, inhalation risks.”
There is variation between Canadian provinces when it comes to how many cancers are officially recognized as work-related for firefighters.
Saskatchewan leads the country with 22 recognized cancers. Boulet did not rule out adding more cancers to the list in the future.
“This is an important step, but it’s not the end. I created a scientific committee on occupational diseases, and one of the priorities I set was to examine other cancers linked to the work of firefighters. I anticipate that we’ll be able to expand our list in the coming years,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 11, 2025.
