Bill C-224

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

Sponsor

Sherry Romanado Liberal

Introduced as a private member’s bill.

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is, or will soon become, law.

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment provides for the development of 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.
The enactment also designates the month of January, in each year, as “Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month”.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-224s:

C-224 (2020) An Act to amend An Act to authorize the making of certain fiscal payments to provinces, and to authorize the entry into tax collection agreements with provinces

C-224 (2016) Law Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act

C-224 (2013) Climate Change Accountability Act

Votes

March 8, 2023 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-224, An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting

June 22, 2022 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-224, An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-224 aims to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting. The bill seeks to increase public awareness, improve access to prevention and treatment for firefighters, and designate January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. While some concerns were raised regarding provincial jurisdiction and the strength of screening requirements, the bill has garnered support from multiple parties as a crucial step towards protecting firefighters' health.

Liberal

Supports bill C-224: The member is sponsoring Bill C-224, an act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting, and is urging all members to support its passage. The bill aims to raise public awareness, promote information sharing on cancer prevention and treatment, and save lives.
Firefighters face risks: The member emphasizes the dangers firefighters face, citing testimony from the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. The World Health Organization has reclassified firefighting as a Group 1 profession with the highest cancer hazards.
Time is of the essence: Given the risks firefighters face, the member stresses the urgency of passing the bill to protect them from duty-related cancers. Every day of delay could lead to more dangerous exposure, new cancer diagnoses, and preventable deaths.

Conservative

Supports Bill C-224: The member supports Bill C-224, which aims to establish a national framework on cancers linked to firefighting, raise public awareness, and improve access to prevention and treatment for firefighters.
Early cancer screenings are important: The member emphasizes that firefighters face a higher risk of developing cancer due to their exposure to carcinogens and toxins. They support the bill's intent to provide regular screenings for firefighters, drawing on personal experience with losing a parent to cancer.
Disappointed in changes to the bill: The member expresses disappointment that the original text of the bill, which mandated regular screenings for firefighters, was weakened to simply make recommendations, though they recognize some of the challenges with provincial jurisdiction.

NDP

Supports Bill C-224: The NDP supports the bill, which aims to develop a national framework to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefighting and improve firefighters' access to cancer prevention and treatment. The bill also proposes designating January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.
Inconsistent coverage unacceptable: The NDP believes the inconsistent recognition of occupational cancers among firefighters across Canada is unacceptable. A national framework is needed to address the issue.
Tax credit increase needed: The NDP is also advocating for an increase in the tax credit for volunteer firefighters to $10,000 through Bill C-310, arguing that the current $3,000 tax credit is insufficient recognition of their essential service and commitment.

Bloc

Support for Bill C-224: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-224, recognizing the importance of improving firefighters' working conditions, health, and safety, but initially had reservations due to concerns about federal overreach into provincial jurisdictions, specifically Quebec's.
Compromise reached: The Bloc Québécois changed its position to support the bill after discussions and adjustments were made to address concerns about respecting provincial jurisdictions. The final version is not perfect, but an important step to protect firefighters.
Federal government can do more: The federal government could further support firefighters through increased funding for research on cancer treatment, diagnosis, and prevention, and by improving municipal emergency preparedness infrastructure, especially fire station ventilation systems.
Increase health transfers: Increased health transfers to provinces could enable investments in prevention, research, and treatment related to firefighters' health issues, highlighting the need for greater federal funding for healthcare.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

The House resumed from February 15 consideration of the motion that Bill C-224, An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting, be read the third time and passed.

National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting ActPrivate Members' Business

March 8th, 2023 / 3:25 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

It being 3:26 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at third reading stage of Bill C-224 under Private Members' Business.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #263

National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting ActPrivate Members' Business

March 8th, 2023 / 3:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried

(Bill read the third time and passed)