Yukon Premier Backs Cancer Coverage for Wildland Firefighters

Yukon Premier Currie Dixon has expressed his commitment to extending presumptive cancer coverage to wildland firefighters, although he could not specify a timeline for this change. This development comes in response to ongoing advocacy from wildland firefighters who are pushing for amendments to the Yukon’s Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act. Currently, the act covers 19 types of cancers for full-time and part-time volunteer firefighters, but excludes wildland firefighters from this essential protection.

During his previous role as opposition leader earlier this year, Dixon voiced his support for the proposed amendment, stating, “it’s time this change be made.” The Yukon Party included this commitment in its campaign platform for the recent elections.

On the first day of the legislative assembly’s sitting, Dixon acknowledged to reporters that while the government is dedicated to fulfilling this promise, it has not yet initiated any legislative commitments due to the short duration of its tenure. “In the two weeks we’ve been in power now, we haven’t had time to initiate any of the legislative commitments that we made throughout the election campaign,” Dixon explained. He added that new legislation is not expected in the immediate future but reassured Yukoners that the government would address these commitments in the spring session and beyond.

Advocacy from wildland firefighters is gaining momentum. Alex MacPhail, a wildland firefighter based in Mayo, Yukon, has been vocal about the need for presumptive cancer coverage. “It’s an issue that is very important to me. It’s very important to a lot of people I work with,” he stated. MacPhail highlighted the lasting effects of smoke exposure during wildfire combat, emphasizing that the health impacts can persist long after the fire is extinguished.

“There are two aspects to it,” he explained. “There’s the acute, initial exposure that you have when you’re actually fighting the fire. And then there’s the particulate matter that hangs out in the air, the drift smoke.” He noted that many communities experience prolonged smoke exposure, making it challenging for wildland firefighters to find respite from hazardous conditions.

The concern regarding long-term health effects weighs heavily on MacPhail, particularly as he considers starting a family. “The thought of getting a cancer diagnosis from a doctor after doing a job I’ve loved for decades weighs on me heavily,” he admitted. He remains hopeful for legislative changes that would provide the necessary coverage.

Support for this initiative is not limited to individual firefighters. Nick Mauro, CEO of Yukon First Nations Wildfire, underscored the critical importance of presumptive cancer coverage for all wildland firefighters. He pointed out the misconception that wildland firefighters face fewer risks compared to their urban counterparts. “You’ll hear suggested that wildland fuels are mostly organic — you know trees, moss, brush — they’re less toxic than plastics or synthetics that are burning in urban fires,” he said.

Mauro also emphasized that major public health agencies in Canada are consistently warning residents to limit outdoor activities when wildfire smoke drifts into communities, often from great distances. He advocates for inclusive coverage under the act for all wildland firefighters, regardless of their employer, noting, “We’re under the same command structure, breathing the same smoke.”

Mauro sees this as an opportunity for the Yukon government to demonstrate genuine support for Indigenous leadership and emergency response efforts. “This is a chance for Yukon to demonstrate concrete support,” he stated. He called for tangible actions rather than mere rhetoric, reinforcing the need for comprehensive coverage and acknowledgment of the risks faced by wildland firefighters.

The commitment by Yukon officials to consider presumptive cancer coverage for wildland firefighters is a significant step forward, but the timeline for implementation remains uncertain. As discussions continue, the voices of those on the front lines highlight the urgent need for protective measures in this demanding profession.