5 types of presumptive cancer to be added to coverage list for P.E.I. firefighters

The Workers Compensation Board of P.E.I. has added five more cancers for which Island firefighters are eligible to receive health coverage, bringing the total to 19.

Workers Compensation Board expands coverage to include more cancers women may face

Ryan McKellop · CBC News · Posted: Jun 23, 2025 6:52 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 23

The sign at the Workers Compensation Board of P.E.I. in Charlottetown reads Safety Matters at Work. — The Workers Compensation Board of P.E.I. says those eligible for the coverage include inspectors, and paid or volunteer firefighters who are members of a department or brigade. (Robert LeClair/CBC News)

The Workers Compensation Board of P.E.I. has added five more presumptive cancers for which Island firefighters are eligible to receive health coverage, bringing the total to 19.

Under P.E.I.'s Workers Compensation Act, presumptive coverage means that it is presumed a primary cancer for a fire inspector or firefighter is related to their work unless proven otherwise, according to a news release from the WCB.

Those eligible for coverage include inspectors, and paid or volunteer firefighters who are members of a department or brigade.

Gerard McMahon, the district deputy chief of the Charlottetown Fire Department, said this initiative helps ease the mind of firefighters.

A man in a black firefighter uniform stands in front of a fire engine inside of the Crossroads Fire Department. — Gerard McMahon, district deputy chief of the Charlottetown Fire Department, says the new coverage will give firefighters peace of mind knowing they can get help with medical expenses. (Rick Gibbs/CBC)

"[It] gives you peace of mind that you're going to be covered if you need any extra expense for medical coverage or trips off the Island," he said.

The five cancers added to the coverage list include:

Cervical.
Ovarian.
Penile.
Pancreatic.
Thyroid.

Increased coverage for women

Firefighting is a dangerous job, and not always due to the physical threat of fire. Issues can arise long after someone has served their community.

Firefighters are nine per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, and 14 per cent more likely to die of cancer compared to the general public, according to Health Canada.

Allison Wyatt, director of claims and compensation with the WCB, said the board looked at cancers affecting women when expanding its coverage.

A woman in a black suit jacket and a magenta shirt smiles, a CBC microphone can be seen at the bottom of the frame and two firetrucks can be seen behind her. — Allison Wyatt, director of claims and compensation with the Workers Compensation board of P.E.I., says the board looked particularly at cancers that can affect women as the firefighting workforce diversifies. (Rick Gibbs/CBC)

"We particularly looked at enhanced coverage for female cancers as we look at a more diverse workforce within firefighting," Wyatt said, adding that the coverage extends beyond the firefighter.

"You think about people who are experiencing illness of any kind and you think about the impact that has on their families, you think about the impact that has on their community, and so really this… legislation is about the support for both them, their community and their families."

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P.E.I. Workforce Minister Jenn Redmond said she hopes this expanded coverage will increase the number of firefighters on the Island.

"To be able to ensure that we have supports in place should they need them is a really big benefit in removing that barrier to have them come and join forces in their communities," she said.

"Sometimes we focus very much on the volunteer firefighter force as being male-dominated, which it would be, but we have a lot of female firefighters.... Understanding when they face cervical, ovarian cancers connected to their volunteerism, it's really important."