Lobby Items
Welcome to the Lobby Items section of the Curtis Oscar Noble Legislative Conference. Here, you’ll find detailed information on the key legislative issues we’re advocating for on behalf of Alberta’s firefighters and paramedics. These items highlight our commitment to improving safety, health benefits, and working conditions for our members and the communities we serve. We invite you to explore each item and review the supporting documents below to deepen your understanding of our initiatives and how you can support our advocacy efforts.
Catastrophic Traumatic Exposure Coverage
Alberta firefighters face immense risks when responding to catastrophic events, such as the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, where they worked tirelessly to protect lives and property under extreme conditions. Research shows that many responders have suffered long-term health effects due to sustained exposure to toxic smoke and particulates. We are advocating for presumptive WCB coverage for public safety personnel involved in catastrophic events to ensure they receive the health support they deserve for injuries sustained in the line of duty.
LAPP Sponsor Board
Alberta firefighters have a unique set of pension needs, reflecting their long, physically demanding careers and the high level of risk involved in their work. Though firefighters played a key role in shaping the LAPP Joint Governance Board, the current board structure lacks direct representation for our members. We are calling for legislative action to include the Alberta Fire Fighters and Paramedics Association on the LAPP Sponsor Board to ensure firefighters' voices are represented in pension governance, as is standard in other provinces.
Max Accessible Earnings
The current Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) maximum assessable earnings in Alberta, set at $102,000, falls short of adequately compensating firefighters and paramedics for occupational injuries. Most APFFPA-represented professionals earn more than this cap, meaning municipalities often have to cover the gap to prevent financial hardship for injured workers. Alberta's cap lags behind other provinces, such as Manitoba and British Columbia, making an increase essential. We are advocating to raise the maximum assessable earnings to $140,000, aligning compensation with the realities of first responders’ wages and reducing the financial burden on municipalities.
Priorities for WCB Cancer Recognition
As Alberta reviews its Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), the APFFPA is advocating for updates to the Firefighters’ Primary Cancer Site Regulation. Firefighters face daily exposure to carcinogens, making certain cancers more likely, yet some critical cancers remain unrecognized. We are requesting that primary site penile cancer (with a 10-year latency period) and larynx cancer (with a 15-year latency period) be added to the Alberta WCB’s presumptive cancer coverage. This inclusion would align Alberta with other provinces and help provide comprehensive support to our members and their families.
Legislator Briefing Book
The Legislator Briefing Book provides a comprehensive look at the APFFPA’s key advocacy items, offering background information and detailed recommendations for Alberta’s policymakers. Inside, you’ll find overviews on crucial topics such as EMS and fire services, cancer risks in the fire service, catastrophic event coverage, and pension needs for firefighters and paramedics. This resource serves as a foundation for discussions with legislators, aiming to improve safety, health, and retirement security for our members. Explore the document below to learn more about our current lobbying efforts.