A private member's bill by a Langley MLA calls for changes to how firefighters are screened for cancer, and an update to the list of cancers that are believed to be linked to the job.
Misty Van Popta, the Conservative MLA for Langley-Walnut Grove, presented bill M 214, the Firefighters Health Act, on Monday, May 12.
“This bill is not a political issue, but a matter of public health and safety,” said Van Popta. “We owe it to the over 13,000 firefighters in this province to ensure that they have access to the health screenings they need, in order to detect and treat cancers at an early stage.”
Firefighters have a higher rate of some kinds of cancers than members of the general population, a risk that is believed to be related to their work and the smoke and toxic chemicals they are exposed to.
Van Popta said the bill was inspired by hearing stories of firefighters who were not eligible for cancer screenings due to their age.
“During the fall 2024 campaign, both the government and opposition parties committed to supporting our firefighters," Van Popta said. "I am proud to bring forward this bill today and urge all members of this house to join me in making this a priority for the safety and health of those who risk their lives for us every day."
She also said the Langley Township firefighter union local, Local 4550, helped inspired the bill.
The bill's next step will be second reading in the Legislature. After that it will potentially go to committee, and could be amended before a third reading. Bills that pass third reading become law.
