task6_model_deployment/assets/C-224_4.txt

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First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament,
70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023
STATUTES OF CANADA 2023
CHAPTER 20
An Act to establish a national framework for
the prevention and treatment of cancers
linked to firefighting
ASSENTED TO
JUNE 22, 2023
BILL C-224

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SUMMARY
This enactment provides for the development of a national
framework designed to raise awareness of cancers linked to fire-
fighting with the goal of improving access for firefighters to can-
cer prevention and treatment.
The enactment also designates the month of January, in each
year, as “Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month”.
Available on the House of Commons website at the following address:
www.ourcommons.ca
2021-2022-2023

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70-71 ELIZABETH II – 1 CHARLES III
CHAPTER 20
An Act to establish a national framework for the pre-
vention and treatment of cancers linked to firefight-
ing
[Assented to 22nd June, 2023]
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 expo-
sure 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 occupation-
al cancers so that they can seek testing and treat-
ment;
Whereas federal and provincial collaboration and in-
formation sharing can facilitate the prevention and
early detection of cancers linked to firefighting;
Whereas establishing national standards on occupa-
tional cancers linked to firefighting could help pro-
vide 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 respon-
ders who have died as a result of their duties, includ-
ing firefighters who succumb to cancers brought
about by their employment, by providing a benefit to
the beneficiaries of those first responders;
2021-2022-2023

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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
Short title
1 This Act may be cited as the National Framework on
Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act.
Interpretation
Definitions
2 The following definitions apply in this Act.
Indigenous governing body means a council, govern-
ment 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 Con-
stitution Act, 1982. (corps dirigeant autochtone)
Minister means the Minister of Health. (ministre)
National Framework for the
Prevention and Treatment of
Cancers Linked to Firefighting
Development
3 (1) The Minister must develop a national framework
designed to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefight-
ing with the goal of improving access for firefighters to
cancer prevention and treatment.
Consultation
(2) 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 bod-
ies, with health care professionals, with scientists and
with stakeholders in the firefighting community.
Content
(3) The national framework may include measures to
(a) explain and support research on the link between
firefighting and certain types of cancer;
(b) identify the training, education and guidance
needs of health care and other professionals related to
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Chapter 20: National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act
Short Title
Preamble – Sections 1-3

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the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to fire-
fighting and compile information relating to those
needs;
(c) make recommendations respecting regular screen-
ings for cancers linked to firefighting;
(d) promote research and improve data collection on
the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to fire-
fighting;
(e) promote information and knowledge sharing in re-
lation to the prevention and treatment of cancers
linked to firefighting; and
(f) prepare a summary of existing standards that rec-
ognize cancers linked to firefighting as occupational
diseases.
Reports to Parliament
Tabling of framework
4 (1) Within one year after the day on which this Act
comes into force, the Minister must prepare a report set-
ting 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 af-
ter the report is completed.
Publication
(2) 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 Parlia-
ment.
Report
5 (1) Within five years after the day on which the report
referred to in section 4 is tabled, the Minister must pre-
pare a report on the effectiveness of the national frame-
work and on the state of the prevention and treatment of
cancers linked to firefighting.
Tabling of report
(2) The Minister must cause the report to be tabled be-
fore each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days
on which that House is sitting after the report is complet-
ed.
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Chapter 20: National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act
National Framework for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancers Linked to Firefighting
Sections 3-5

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Firefighter Cancer Awareness
Month
Designation
6 Throughout Canada, in each year, the month of Jan-
uary is to be known as “Firefighter Cancer Awareness
Month”.
Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons
2021-2022-2023
Chapter 20: National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act
Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month
Section  
6

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Available on the House of Commons website
Disponible sur le site Web de la Chambre des com