Province Increases Health Insurance Coverage For Firefighters

More health benefits for firefighters in Nova Scotia.

The province announced yesterday that they’re increasing workplace injury insurance coverage to include 19 types of cancer and heart attacks that occur within 24 hours of an emergency call.

That’s up from six cancers covered previously.

In a release, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration Jill Balser says this will help the province’s 6,600 firefighters and their families, and make Nova Scotia one of the leading provinces for presumptive coverage for firefighters.

Premier Tim Houston says those that protect us should be protected by their government and have access to workplace injury coverage when they need it.

The province says the amendments to the Firefighters Compensation Regulations will take effect on July 1st, and any firefighters that have been diagnosed with cancer one year prior to that will be able to access the new benefits.

The province will take on $80.6 million in liability costs for the next four fiscal years, with municipalities not absorbing additional costs until 2025-26.