Vince McKay, Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC), issued the following statement today after the Legislative Assembly passed Bill 48, An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, No. 2:

“Today, we have taken an important step to better support the people who answer the call when Northerners need help most.

Whether responding to a fire, a medical emergency, a search and rescue operation, or a crisis in one of our institutions, first responders routinely face risks that most of us will never experience. The impacts of that work can last long after an emergency ends, affecting workers and their families for years to come.

Bill 48 recognizes those realities.

The changes passed today will make it easier for firefighters and first responders to access workers' compensation benefits when they are diagnosed with certain occupational cancers, heart-related conditions, or post-traumatic stress disorder. By reducing barriers to support, we are helping ensure workers can focus on their health, recovery and families.

I also want to thank firefighters, paramedics, nurses, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, police officers, search and rescue volunteers, continuing care assistants, sheriffs, and others who shared their experiences and perspectives throughout this process. Their voices helped shape this legislation.

The passage of Bill 48 reflects a shared commitment by Members of the Legislative Assembly to support those who dedicate themselves to protecting our communities. It also builds on the work of the WSCC, stakeholder engagement, and the review undertaken by the Standing Committee on Government Operations.

Our commitment is to bring these changes into force by January 1, 2027. At that time, the Northwest Territories will provide the most comprehensive presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters in Canada and will extend presumptive PTSD coverage to a broad range of frontline and emergency response workers.

This is an important milestone, but at its core, this legislation is about people. It is about recognizing service, reducing barriers to support, and ensuring that those who spend their careers protecting others know that they, too, will be supported when they need it.

To all of our firefighters and first responders: thank you for your service, your courage, and your commitment to the people of the Northwest Territories."