Yukon NDP congratulates wildland firefighters on their win in securing presumptive cancer coverage

October 6, 2026

Whitehorse, Yukon –

Today, Yukon NDP Leader Kate White issued the following statement in response to the tabling of amendments to the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act, which will extend presumptive cancer coverage to wildland firefighters.

“Wildland firefighters should never have had to fight this long to be treated the same as other firefighters in the territory,” White said.

“Since 2021, wildland firefighters have been sharing their stories on the importance of their inclusion in presumptive cancer coverage in the Yukon. They wrote letters, sat in the Assembly during debate, and held press conferences to shed light on the unfairness of their exclusion from this important health coverage,” added White.

The Yukon NDP thanks all those who shared their stories and energy to bring this change forward.

The Yukon NDP would like to especially acknowledge the work of the Yukon Employees’ Union, and the Whitehorse Firefighters’ Association (IAFF Local 2217), who were both essential to this fight in supporting workers.

“The Yukon NDP has stood with wildland firefighters in fighting for this change from the start, and we’re glad to see the unfairness end today,” White said.

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