National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act

An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting Preamble Whereas firefighters play a critical role in keeping Canadians and their communities safe; Whereas Canadians have a profound appreciation of and respect for the dedicated firefighters who put themselves in harm’s way to provide an essential service; Whereas firefighters face numerous occupational hazards in performing their duties, including exposure to toxic chemicals; Whereas research has shown that exposure to some of these chemicals may lead to the development of various cancers; Whereas awareness and education are crucial to helping firefighters identify early signs of occupational cancers so that they can seek testing and treatment; Whereas federal and provincial collaboration and information sharing can facilitate the prevention and early detection of cancers linked to firefighting; Whereas establishing national standards on occupational cancers linked to firefighting could help provide greater consistency across Canada; And whereas the Government of Canada, through the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders, recognizes the service and sacrifice of first responders who have died as a result of their duties, including firefighters who succumb to cancers brought about by their employment, by providing a benefit to the beneficiaries of those first responders; Now, therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: Short title This Act may be cited as the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act. Definitions The following definitions apply in this Act. Indigenous governing body means a council, government or other entity that is authorized to act on behalf of an Indigenous group, community or people that holds rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. (corps dirigeant autochtone) Minister means the Minister of Health. (ministre) Development The Minister must develop a national framework designed to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefighting with the goal of improving access for firefighters to cancer prevention and treatment. Consultation In developing the national framework, the Minister must consult with the representatives of the provincial and territorial governments responsible for health, with municipal governments, with Indigenous governing bodies, with health care professionals, with scientists and with stakeholders in the firefighting community. Content The national framework may include measures to explain and support research on the link between firefighting and certain types of cancer; identify the training, education and guidance needs of health care and other professionals related to the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting and compile information relating to those needs; make recommendations respecting regular screenings for cancers linked to firefighting; promote research and improve data collection on the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting; promote information and knowledge sharing in relation to the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting; and prepare a summary of existing standards that recognize cancers linked to firefighting as occupational diseases. Tabling of framework Within one year after the day on which this Act comes into force, the Minister must prepare a report setting out the national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting and cause the report to be tabled before each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the report is completed. Publication The Minister must publish the report on the website of the Department of Health within 10 days after the day on which the report is tabled in both Houses of Parliament. Report Within five years after the day on which the report referred to in section 4 is tabled, the Minister must prepare a report on the effectiveness of the national framework and on the state of the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting. Tabling of report The Minister must cause the report to be tabled before each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the report is completed. Designation Throughout Canada, in each year, the month of January is to be known as “Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month”.