Page 1 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 Page 2 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 Page 3 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 Page 4 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 2021-2022-2023 Chapter 20: National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act Short Title Preamble – Sections 1-3 Page 5 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. 2021-2022-2023 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 Page 6 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 Page 7 Page 8 Available on the House of Commons website Disponible sur le site Web de la Chambre des com