QUESTION PERIOD — Health
National Framework on Cancers linked to Firefighting
November 19, 2024
On October 7, Canada released a National Framework on Cancers linked to Firefighting. Over 126,000 men and women serve as firefighters across this country. Data reveals that as much as 85% of work-related facility claims among firefighters are cancer-related and that firefighters have a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general population.
However, the list of presumptive cancers covered in provinces has serious gaps, covering testicular, prostate and penile cancers — all affecting men — but only eight covering cervical or ovarian cancer, and none covering uterine cancer.
Senator Gold, the mandate is to:
. . . develop a national framework to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefighting to improve access for all firefighters to cancer prevention and treatment. . . .
Does this government understand that “all firefighters” includes women?
The answer to that latter question is yes. Firefighters put themselves in harm’s way every day to serve us. Though no scientist, I assume that exposure to smoke and materials that burn, much of which will contain toxic chemicals, would be at least one of the reasons why the incidence of cancer among firefighters is higher.
It is the case that standards vary from province to province. I can certainly assure you that this government does not have a “gendered” eye on this issue, but I’ll certainly bring your concerns to the attention of the minister.
Women represent 15% and growing of all firefighters, and they are dying from ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers. The framework makes no reference to these gendered differences in cancer, nor does it provide direction on how to harmonize provincial coverage plans. Fire in Manitoba is as toxic as in B.C. Ovarian cancer kills a firefighter just as surely in any place.
Can you assure this chamber that the millions in research funding promised will be allocated with gender-based criteria?
I certainly will raise this with the government. I can only say that it would be inconsistent with this government’s approach to these matters of public policy in this area and others were it not to be aware of the disparate impact and the importance of making sure that its policies, including its funding, take account of the needs of all Canadians.
