Press Releases
These are our past press releases
December 27th 2010 – Adopt A Family Program
The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society partnered with the Newton Advocacy Group for our annual Adopt A Family celebration on December 19th 2010. The occasion was made possible with the assistance of several of our community partners including Aspen Development, Tong Louie Family YMCA, Valley View Funeral Home, Zellers and Canada Safeway. Special thanks to our Mayor, Dianne Watts and council. Their continued support of the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society assists us in the delivery of this program every Christmas.
The Surrey Fire Fighters have been administering this program in our community for over 20 years, with 22 families and 46 children being assisted this year. Each fire station in Surrey adopts an entire family, supplying them with a food hamper and gifts for the children and parents.
The celebration took place at the Tong Louie Family YMCA with the assistance of over 35 individuals, including off duty fire fighters and volunteers from our community partners. The event includes an appearance by Santa Claus, music, food for all of the families and activities for the kids to enjoy. “This celebration truly embodies the Christmas spirit by providing the opportunity for many disadvantaged families to enjoy a memorable Christmas,” said Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society director Mark McRae. “The Surrey Fire Fighters are proud to be associated with such a wonderful event.”
For more information please contact Mark McRae at 778 229 9369.
January 24, 2010
Surrey Fire Fighters Disaster Relief Effort for Haiti
Thank you to the citizens of Surrey!
The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society put out the call for help, in an effort to raise money for earthquake ravaged Haiti, and the citizens of our community responded. Together we raised more than $23 000 in a one day fundraising campaign to assist with emergency relief operations.
Off duty and on duty Surrey Fire Fighters were at locations throughout the City of Surrey on Saturday, January 23rd, collecting cash donations from the public to assist in the relief effort.
“The response was beyond our expectations,” said Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society Director Mike McNamara. “We have always been impressed by the generosity of our community to help us with charitable endeavours within our city, but this truly shows the compassion our citizens have for all the people of the world.”
“We have a very understanding, diverse community in Surrey, and many people feel very close to the struggles that the people of Haiti are enduring and really wanted to do something to help,” said McNamara.
100% of the funds collected will be forwarded to the Canadian Red Cross, and the Canadian government has pledged to match any funds donated to a registered charity. This means that the Red Cross will be receiving nearly $50 000.
McNamara added, “I can’t thank the people of Surrey enough. I am proud of how generous and caring our community is, and I know that this will definitely make a difference to the people of Haiti. I would also like to thank the many businesses who allowed us to collect funds at their locations. Without their support, it would have made our efforts difficult.”
If you were unable to donate, and would still like to do so, you can stop by any Surrey fire hall to drop off a donation or send it by cheque or money order made payable to “Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society” at 8767 132 Street, Surrey, BC V3W 4P1. Please indicate “Haiti Relief Fund” on your donation. Visa or Mastercard donations can be made through our office at 604-574-5785.
January 17, 2010
Surrey Fire Fighters Disaster Relief Effort for Haiti
The Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society is launching a one day fundraising campaign to assist with emergency relief operations in Haiti.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the impoverished country on Tuesday, January 12. Up to 50,000 people are feared dead, and many more have lost their homes in the most powerful quake ever recorded in Haiti – the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The essential infrastructure such as hospitals, shelter, water supply, electricity, and ability to maintain order have been destroyed – meaning this disaster will be a growing catastrophe for some time to come.
Help is urgently needed for the millions of people affected by the disaster. Off duty and on duty Surrey Fire Fighters will be at locations throughout the City of Surrey in uniform on Saturday, January 23rd, collecting cash donations from the public to assist in the relief effort. If you do not see any of our people out in the community, you can also stop by any Surrey Fire Hall to drop off a donation. 100% of the funds collected will be forwarded to the Canadian Red Cross. The Canadian Government will match all money raised by our registered charity in response to the earthquake relief, so every dollar donated is doubled.
“There are hundreds of military and emergency personnel, from all over the world, responding to and already in Haiti. We have many fire fighters here in Surrey who want to do something to help” said Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society Director Mike McNamara. “By collecting cash donations for the Canadian Red Cross, we feel this is the most effective way we can help the people of Haiti, who will clearly need global assistance for a long time to come.”
“100% of the money we collect will be sent to the Canadian Red Cross, this will also get matched funds from the Canadian government, but more importantly ensure the money raised will be used directly by the Red Cross to benefit the people of Haiti over the long run” said McNamara.
McNamara urged “we hope our fundraiser will give the citizens of Surrey the opportunity to donate in a way that provides them confidence their donation will make a difference”.
July 17th, 2009
Tiny Bundles receive support from Fire Fighters
The surrey fire fighters charitable society helped the surrey food bank kick off its Xmas in July campaign on Friday July 17th.
Both groups teamed up with Santa Claus at the save on foods in Newton to raise awareness of the food banks need for donations year round.
The surrey fire fighters charitable society helped with a $5,000 donation to the Food Banks “tiny Bundles” Program. Funds for this donation were made possible by the Mayors Gala Ball. Mayor Dianne Watts and council direct the proceeds of the annual mayors charity ball to the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable society. “without the support of the Mayors Charity Ball, the Fire fighters charity would not be able to make such a difference in the community” said Fire Fighter President Larry Thomas
the Tiny Bundles program assists the unique nutritional needs of pregnant and nursing moms, and infants from birth to 1 year of age.
Nutrition during pregnancy and a baby’s first year is of critical importance to the child’s health and development.
This brings the Surrey Fire fighters charitable society support to the Surrey Food Bank up to $10,000 for this calendar year.
Contact Larry Thomas for more information
July 3, 2009
The Surrey Fire Fighters celebrated their 52nd Anniversary Thursday evening with their annual BBQ and Peer awards.
The top award is the “Red Powell Award” which goes to the fire fighter’s, FIRE FIGHTER. The recipient of this award should exemplify that of a conscientious and dedicated fire fighter. Who while on duty or off duty upholds the standards of our profession, reflects credit upon the fire service and promotes goodwill among all members The Red Powell recipient is a member with a minimum of 20 years or more service. They will have contributed to not only the betterment of the Fire Department but also the people in the community, which we serve. All Surrey Fire Fighters are proud of them as a member and they are proud to be a member.
President Larry Thomas stated “This year’s winner of the Red Powell award exemplifies what the award is about. He is respected as a fire fighter and respected as a community activist.”. Captain Mike Starchuk from Fire Hall 17 in Morgan Creek was named this year’s winner.
“The Red Powell Award was named after one of Surrey’s first professional fire fighters. Red Powell was a leader, pioneer for fire fighting in Surrey and a community activist” said Thomas. This award is the fire service equivalent to Police officer of the year.
The Silver Axe Award is the second highest peer award given out annually. This award goes to members with a minimum of 10 years service who has shown a dedicated and conscientious effort to uphold the standard of professionalism, reflects credit upon the Fire Service on and off duty, and promotes goodwill among all members.
This year’s winners are Captain Dan Paine from Hall 5 in Fraser Heights and Captain Paul Mahil from the Fire Prevention Branch.
Thomas said “It is good to acknowledge your peers annually. We have many good community minded leaders who are good role models and provide mentorship to the new and younger Fire Fighters”.
For more information call Larry Thomas 604-230-8100, President of the Surrey Fire Fighters Association.
RED POWELL AWARD
Mike Starchuk
Background information
This year’s winner of the Red Powell award has been active within the fire service for his entire career. He exemplifies what the award is about. He is respected as a firefighter and respected as a community activist. He has dedicated most of his career as a trainer for the department. He has organized many charity events long before our local was active as a charitable society. Variety Club, Canadian Blood Services and the Child Development Center have benefited from is dedication, to name a few. He has also been a mentor to many FF’s in the Fire Department and coached many youth teams over the years. He has been an advocate on behalf of many members when they needed guidance or assistance. He helped pioneer our critical incident stress program and peer referral Members Family Assistance Program. He has gone to great lengths to represent fire fighters with their WCB claims not only within Surrey but also around the province and Western Canada. He has helped put up many election signs for the benefit of local 1271.
What really makes him the winner of this award is his passion to always reflect credit upon the Surrey Fire Fighters Association and to help promote our achievements within our community.
This year’s winner of the Red Powell Award is Mike Starchuk.
SILVER AXE AWARD
| Paul Mahil |
Dan Paine |
The Silver Axe award winners have been active within the local for many years in various ways.
Our first winner has been a member for 26 years. Over the course of his career he has been involved with the original boot drive and pub crawl fundraisers. He helped evolve that into our more modern boot drive that today raises about $20,000 annually. This member also stepped up to the provincial level and became local 1271’s Burn Fund Rep for several years. In addition to these commitments, he also has taken interest and committed to preserving the Surrey Fire Fighters heritage and historical equipment. Please join me in congratulating DAN PAINE
Our second winner has been a member for 14 years. Over the course of his career he has continually been involved with holding several union positions including hall rep for 10 or more years, benevolent rep for 3 years, Trustee for 6 years, Finance committee member for 9 years. He has put up election signs, taken down signs, attended events and always come through for the local when needed. His efforts to represent the membership are strong and unwavering. He has also supported charities when ever asked and is often seen at charity events without being asked. This winner has also gone to great lengths to ensure his work reflects credit upon the Surrey Fire Fighters organization whenever he interacts outside of Surrey. He and his partner Dexter are known all around the province if not the country. Please join me in congratulating PAUL MAHIL
For immediate release:
Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society support KidSport BC
$3,000 sponsorship will help get more children involved in amateur sports in the Surrey
The Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society are pleased to announce their partnership with the 14th Annual KidSport BC Charity Golf tournament held at Morgan Creek with a $3,000 donation. KidSport BC is a community based sport‐funding program that provides grants for under privileged children ages 6 –18, to allow them to participate in a sport season of their choice.
“This meets one of our goals of serving the under privileged youth in our community, and by partnering up with KidSport BC we are able to disperse funds appropriately through other organizations” said Todd Schierling, Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society director. According to KidSport BC, more than one third of children in Canada cannot participate in sport and recreational activity due to financial barriers. Statistics show that children participating in sport do better in school and are more likely to continue with their education. Studies show that children participating in sport have improved health, make friends easier and feel better about themselves.
The Surrey Fire Fighters Charity receives funds from a variety of sources. “Our largest fundraiser – Mayor’s Gala Ball is all about helping children” said Larry Thomas. Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and council direct the proceeds of the annual gala ball to our charitable society. Without their support many initiatives that benefit children in Surrey would not be sustainable. This is one of the city’s largest fundraiser’s, and the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society is proud to be the recipient of these funds and grateful to the Mayor and Council. “We are committed to deliver all funds raised back into our community to benefit children and the under privileged” indicated Thomas.
Our mission is to provide charitable programs that benefit the citizens of our community and to assist other charities within the community that have similar goals and objectives. Programs and funding we offer include a “nutritional snack program” for Surrey’s inner city schools, the Surrey Food Bank “basics for babies” program, mental health and addiction research and housing programs, hospice society, and many other worthy requests we receive.
For information about Surrey Fire Fighters Charities, please contact:
Larry Thomas, President
604-230-8100 or
Todd Schierling, Director
604-619-7400
www.surreyfirefighters.com/site/charities
For more information about KidSport BC, please contact:
Jen Schaeffers, Director of Communications
Sport BC
604.333.3412
jennifer.schaeffers@sport.bc.ca
September 4, 2008
Sept 11th will be a “Day of Remembrance” for fallen Fire Fighters
On this seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Surrey Fire Fighters will be conducting a ceremony to remember fallen Fire Fighters.
“We will always remember the response of Fire Fighters on September 11, 2001, and never forget the sacrifices they made. The 290,000 members of the International Association of Fire Fighters, with the direction of FDNY members, have decided that September 11th will always be a Day of Remembrance for fallen Fire Fighters everywhere” says Surrey President Larry Thomas.
Many fire fighters perished in the past year from traumatic related incidents and even more have succumbed to occupational related illness such as Heart & Lung disease and occupational Cancers. Thomas added “Our ceremony is dedicated to those who have fallen and to those who carry on”.
This year’s ceremony will muster at Holland Park (King George Hwy and 100th Ave) near the central pond at 8:45 Am. The ceremony will start at 9:08 Am with a minute of Silence at 9:11 Am. There will be a few brief comments from President Larry Thomas and special guests from FDNY. All other Surrey fire stations will conduct a minute of silence at 9:11 Am to allow for those on duty, who can not make it to the ceremony at Holland Park, to participate in the day of remembrance.
For more information call Larry Thomas 604-230-8100
News from Surrey Fire Fighters!
For Immediate release
January 2007
The Surrey Fire Fighters Charity (SFFC) would like to thank everyone who donated to the disaster assistance fund for the tenants of the Cedar Tree apartment fire.
On December 27th, 2006 a large fire displaced tenants of the Cedar Tree apartments in Surrey, BC. The Surrey Fire Fighters Charity has set up a disaster assistance fund at Coast Capital Savings for the displaced tenants.
To date $21,000.00 has been donated to the disaster assistance fund.
The Surrey Fire Fighters Charity has dispersed over $18,000.00 to the tenants so far. SFFC President Larry Thomas stated “We will be keeping the disaster assistance account open until January 20th and then all funds will be dispersed.”
SFFC Vice President Terry Hunt stated, “There has been an outpouring of generosity from the community. The Surrey Christmas Bureau and Grace Point Church have been a huge help. The Surrey Christmas bureau has kept their volunteer staff busy assisting with all the donations of clothing and other items. Grace Point Church has also made a significant cash donation and they have collected clothing & other items for the fire victims.”
The Christmas Bureau drop off is now closed and expects at least 2 more weeks of work is required to sort through the items collected to date.
Donations to the “disaster assistance fund for Cedar Tree apartment fire” can be made at any Coast Capital Savings branch until January 20th.
Larry Thomas Terry Hunt
President Vice President
August 26, 2004
Surrey Gains International Respect in Boston Massachusetts
IAFF Local 1271, Surrey Fire Fighter President Lorne West was elected with a first ballot victory to the International Association of Fire Fighters Executive Board this past week in Boston Massachusetts. “There appeared to be a recruit Lorne move across western Canada leading up to convention’, said Local 1271 Treasurer Larry Thomas. “Lorne has been a very progressive leader in Surrey for almost 25 years now; I believe the rest of the West can benefit from his approach to our issues”.
Surrey President Lorne West was elected as the 6th District Vice-President to represent the Territories, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC in the first ballot against three other strong candidates. “I think the District chose to come together and unify in the election rather than divide, which can so often happen when elections run through to second and third ballots”, said Lorne from Boston.
Surrey Fire Fighters, Local 1271 of the IAFF were represented last week in Boston, Massachusetts at the IAFF’s 47th biennial convention by local leaders Lorne West, Larry Thomas, Jon Caviglia, Mike Starchuk and Terry Hunt. Boston Local 718 played host to the largest convention in IAFF history with over 3,600 delegates, and guests. Lorne’s win is great recognition for Surrey; it is a credit to both the City as well as the Surrey Fire Fighters union. It is the first time the IAFF has elected a 6th District VP from what is often regarded as a suburb, or a young and emerging city.
Everywhere I went to discuss the issues, fire fighters were aware of Surrey and the challenges we have faced, there is a great amount of respect out there for this city, not just it’s fire fighters” said Lorne. I think we have dealt with our challenges head on and a lot of credit goes to our management team and City Council. Not long ago we were in crisis mode but through the Fire Service Review Task Force, we resolved the issues, collaboratively and have moved forward with great success”. Mayor Doug McCallum established the Fire Service Review Task Force with Councillor Dianne Watts as chair in 2000.
Lorne hopes that with his experience in Surrey he can bridge the gap with some of the emerging cities in western Canada like Maple Ridge or Langley Township, who are reticent to staff their fire departments. “I think when they realize how cost effective, and efficient it can be, they cannot deny that they need to at least optimize their current resources as a first step’, said Lorne. Langley Township is struggling with the concept, but as one of largest cities in Canada without a staffed fire department, they have a lot of planning to do.
The new position will require a lot of time and travel for Lorne. He will announce his resignation as Local 1271 President officially at their next meeting, September 2nd. The election process that will follow should have a new leader in place by the end of October.
For more information call Larry Thomas 604-230-8100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FIREFIGHTERS’ INCREASED CANCER RISK RECOGNIZED
October 31 , 2005
VICTORIA – Labour Minister Mike DeJong has introduced Bill 11 into the legislature. Bill 11 will provide Fire Fighters with coverage for certain Cancers as occupational illnesses.
These are:
- Primary site brain cancer
- Primary site bladder cancer
- Primary site kidney cancer
- Primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Primary site ureter cancer
- Primary site colo-rectal cancer
- Primary leukemia.
The Union of B.C. Municipalities, along with a number of municipalities including Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, Langley, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert and Kelowna have expressed their support for a cancer presumption for firefighters.
Similar presumptions have been enacted for firefighters in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.
The minister has written to the WCB to notify the board of the coming legislation, which he expects will be made effective April 11, 2005.
June 21st, 2000 — Childrens Health Center Sept. 8th, 2002 — Surrey YMCA December 2001 — Firefighter’s Endowment Fund December 2001 — Firefighter of the Year Award December 2001 — The Center for Child Development December 2001 — Peer Awards
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Recent Media Coverage of Surrey Firefighters Association IAFF Local 1271
Want to Know What We Are Doing?
Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation is embarking on our biggest project ever. Bigger than our capital commitment of “One Million Dollars” to Surrey Memorial Hospital’s new Children’s Health Centre, bigger than our contribution of “Two Million Dollars to the BC Burn Ward at Vancouver General over the past ten years. Our project is a “Three Million Dollar Endowment Fund”. Our short-term objective is “Three Million Dollars” but we anticipate reaching a “Ten Million Dollar” total in the foreseeable future.
Surrey is one of the first communities to have junior wheelchair basketball team and an early school breakfast program because of our efforts. The YMCA programs; and food bank, and homeless shelters all benefit from our effort. We provide young burn survivors with an opportunity to attend summer camps with their peers. Street youth programs such as provided by the Servants Anonymous Society, and Surrey Family Services that provide youth with the necessary support to leave the abusive environment of the streets rely on support from Surrey’s fire fighters. We make a difference to young cancer patients with summer camps and other support programs.
Establishing an endowment fund will allow us to continue with our focus on community support for Surrey, in Surrey, by Surrey. The fund will provide the necessary resources to allow us to continue to expand our children, family and youth programs. We will be able to concentrate on the programs and not where the resources will come from.
Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation
Surrey Fire Fighters Charities Pledge $500,000 to new ER expansion
September 5, 2006
The Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society has committed $500,000 to Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation in support of the development of a new state-of-the-art hospital Emergency Centre.
In recognition, a section of the new Emergency Centre will be named the Surrey Firefighters Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Response Unit. The area will provide much-needed assessment, stabilization, and initial treatment facilities. Its design will include a secure waiting area, seclusion rooms with video monitoring, consultation rooms with viewing vestibules, and a room for medical examinations.
“A lot of the calls that require our help are as a result of people with mental health and addictions issues,” says Terry Hunt, the Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society Vice President. “We know from experience this type of facility is needed.”
As chair of the Surrey Mental Health Advisory Committee, Andrew Kellett agrees. For years, Kellett has lived with bi-polar disorder. “I think it’s terrific what the firefighters are doing for mental health. This donation will benefit many people.”
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June 21st, 2000
$1,000,000.00 Pledge
The Surrey and Delta Firefighters Pledged $1,000,000.00 to the New Children’s Health Center at Surrey Memorial in June of 1996. We are pleased and proud to announce that we have full-filled our pledge of One Million Dollars within 4 years .
The Centre for Child Development
Casting and Splinting Program
“Our sincere thanks to the Surrey Fire Fighters who continue their history of supporting children in our community with their five year commitment of $125,000.00 to our Casting & Splinting Program”
Surrey Firefighters Gymnasium Opens at The Surrey Family YMCA
September 8th, 2002
Surrey Fire Fighters and the “Y” were a perfect fit from the beginning.Local 1271’s association with the “Y” began in the early 1990’s with our support of the “Y” summer camp programs.With our modest contribution of $500 we were able to support Surrey’s kids attending summer camp, when they might not otherwise get the opportunity.The program was so successful, it wasn’t long before our $500 grew to $5,000 and more.
THE BUILDING AND MORE
When the “Y” approached us with the concept of building a Surrey Family “Y”, Surrey Fire Fighters Local 1271 were one of the first to get on-board.Our pledge was to contribute $250,000 towards the capital cost of the building.This year we have committed another $60,000 to build a climbing wall in the Gymnasium that the “Y” has named after Surrey’s Fire Fighters.Although not there yet it won’t be long before we will have Surrey’s kids climbing the walls!
CONTINUED GROWTH AND MORE PROGRAMS
In 2000 the “Y” approached us with the idea of adding a fire fighter’s component to their summer camp program, and in 2001 we saw the first youth fire fighters summer camp.In 2002 it looks like it is catching on, with cities all over North America modeling summer camp programs after the Local 1271- “Y” fire fighter camp.Kids from Surrey actually get the chance to experience the life and culture of the Fire Service, with the live action of controlled fire fights.
A PARTNERSHIP TO LAST
With the YMCA’s commitment to community, family and youth, it was a natural that Surrey Fire Fighters would develop a relationship with them.Local 1271 is committed to that partnership.We have pledge our resources both financially and members to work with them, and in support of their programs, their continued growth and our mutual relationship to community.
There is no other agency, or organization that promotes the values and delivers on the commitment to the community like the “Y”, unless it is Local 1271, Surrey Fire Fighters.We are proud of our association with the “Y” and look forward to a long and enduring partnership that will grow and support Surrey’s family and youth for a long time to come.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Surrey Firefighter’s Foundation and Endowment Fund
A new goal to achieve
December 2001 – Our newest project is a “Three Million Dollar Endowment Fund”.Our short-term objective is “Three Million Dollars” but we anticipate reaching a “Ten Million Dollar” total in the foreseeable future.
The endowment fund is intended to support our family, youth and children’s programs in Surrey. To carry on the community work that fire fighters are renown for. Charities such as Muscular Dystrophy and the Burn Ward will be insured of our traditional support as well as our $250,000 capital support of the new Surrey YMCA and the $125,000 to the South Fraser Child Development Center for the operating of a casting and splinting room.
On Monday, October 31st the BC Government gave first reading of a motion to enact into law Presumptive Cancer coverage for British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters. It is anticipated that this will become law within the next 3 weeks. This is a historic moment for fire fighters across the Province. Surrey Fire fighters played a predominant role in the effort to achieve this legislation.
Our own BCPFFA VP Tim Baillie was relentless in the pursuit of this coverage.He assisted many locals when dealing with their elected officials. He educated many of their city councils about the need for this coverage. We also owe a great deal of thanks to the Winnipeg Fire Fighters. Alex Forrest, President of Local 867 has led the way across the country with helping provinces achieve this protection for fire fighters families.
We would also like to acknowledge our City Councillors and MLAs who stood up for their fire fighters when it counted most. The City of Surrey was the first City to unanimously pass resolution in support of this coverage.
HONOURABLE MICHAEL DE JONG
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND CITIZENS’ SERVICES
BILL 11 — 2005
WORKERS COMPENSATION AMENDMENT ACT, 2005
HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:
1 Section 1 of the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 492, is amended
(a) by repealing the definition of “occupational disease” and substituting the following:
“occupational disease” means
(a) a disease mentioned in Schedule B,
(b) a disease the Board may designate or recognize by regulation of general application,
(c) a disease the Board may designate or recognize by order dealing with a specific case, and
(d) a disease prescribed for the purpose of section 6.1 (2) but only in respect of a worker to whom the presumption in that section applies, unless the disease is otherwise described by this definition,
and “disease” includes disablement resulting from exposure to contamination; , and
(b) in the definition of “regulation” by striking out “when used in Part 1,” and substituting “when used in Part 1 in relation to regulations of the Board,“.
2 The following section is added:
Firefighters’ occupational disease presumption
6.1 (1) In this section, “firefighter” means a member of a fire brigade who is
(a) described by paragraph (c) of the definition of “worker”,
(b) working, on a full-time basis for remuneration, as a member of the fire brigade, and
(cb) assigned primarily to fire suppression duties, whether or not those duties include the performance of ambulance or rescue services.
(2) If a worker who is or has been a firefighter contracts a prescribed disease, the disease must be presumed to be due to the nature of the worker’s employment as a firefighter, unless the contrary is proved.
(3) The presumption in subsection (2) applies only to a worker who
(a) has worked as a firefighter for the minimum cumulative period prescribed for the disease, which minimum cumulative period may be defined differently, and be different, for different categories of firefighters,
(b) throughout that period, has been regularly exposed to the hazards of a fire scene, other than a forest fire scene, and
(c) is first disabled from the disease on or after April 11, 2005 or a later date prescribed for the disease.
(4) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations for the purposes of subsections (2) and (3) (a) and (c).
(5) If made on or before January 1, 2006, a regulation under subsection (4) may be made retroactive to a date on or after April 11, 2005 and a regulation made retroactive under this section is deemed to have come into force on the date specified in the regulation and has the retroactive effect necessary to give it force and effect on and after that date.
Transitional — firefighters’ presumption
3 (1) In this section:
“Act” means the Workers Compensation Act;
“effective date” means the date the first regulation made under section 6.1 (4) [firefighters' occupational disease presumption] of the Act is deposited with the Registrar of Regulations;
“interim period” means the period starting April 11, 2005 and ending on the effective date.
(2) For the purposes of applying section 55 (2) [application for compensation] of the Act in relation to a worker
(a) to whom the presumption in section 6.1 (2) of the Act is reasonably asserted to apply, and
(b) who was first disabled from the disease in the interim period,
the one year period in section 55 (2) of the Act starts on the effective date.
(3) If an application for compensation under Part 1 of the Act in respect of a worker to whom the presumption in section 6.1 (2) of the Act is reasonably asserted to apply was refused in the interim period and none of the proceedings referred to in subsection (4) (a), (b) and (c) of this section have occurred,
(a) sections 96.2, 96.5 and 239 of the Act do not apply to the decision or order,
(b) the decision or order is set aside effective on the date it was made, and
(c) a new decision or order on the application must be made under Part 1 of the Act.
(4) If, in the interim period,
(a) a review under section 96.2 [request for reviews] of the Act,
(b) a reconsideration under section 96.5 [reconsideration] of the Act, or
(c) an appeal under section 239 [appeal of review decisions] of the Act
has been requested, applied for or completed in respect of a refusal described in subsection (3), then
(d) if a decision or order that does not result in compensation being paid has been made in respect of the request or application, the decision or order is set aside effective the date it was made,
(e) if no decision or order has been made in respect of the request or application, the request or application is stayed, and
(f) a new decision or order on the original application must be made under Part 1 of the Act.
Commencement
4 The provisions of this Act referred to in column 1 of the following table come into force as set out in column 2 of the table:
| Item | Column 1 Provisions of Act |
Column 2 Commencement |
| 1 | Anything not elsewhere covered by this table | The date of Royal Assent |
| 2 | Sections 1 and 2 | By regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, which regulation must be made retroactive to April 11, 2005 and, once made, is deemed to have come into force on April 11, 2005 and is retroactive to the extent necessary to give it force and effect on and after that date |
Explanatory Notes
SECTION 1: [Workers Compensation Act, section 1] repeals and replaces the definition of “occupational disease” to include the diseases that may be prescribed under section 6.1 (2) and clarifies the definition of “regulation”.
SECTION 2: [Workers Compensation Act, section 6.1]
- establishes a rebuttable presumption in favour of a firefighter who contracts a disease prescribed by regulation so that the firefighter does not have to prove the disease was contracted through employment;
- establishes the conditions that must be met for the presumption to apply;
- provides the Lieutenant Governor in Council with regulation making authority to prescribe
- diseases in relation to which the presumption applies,
- cumulative periods of employment as a firefighter that a firefighter must have in relation to a particular disease for the presumption to apply, and
- a date later than April 11, 2005 for the date on or after which disablement must occur in relation to a disease for the presumption to apply.
SECTION 3: [Transitional -- firefighters' presumption] requires that a decision denying compensation that was made since April 11, 2005 in respect of a firefighter to whom the presumption is reasonably asserted to apply be made again, and sets aside other decisions and stays other proceedings in respect of such a decision unless the decision or proceeding resulted in compensation being paid.
