Ontario set to introduce legislation that will see PTSD introduced as an occupational illness
Firefighters, police and paramedics are all expected to benefit as Ontario looks at the potential introduction of new legislation.
Provincial Labour Minister Kevin Flynn dropped some hints about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being introduced as a “presumptive” occupational illness. He stated that Ontario had been looking at rulings in New Brunswick, Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba, with the latter being the first province that decided to lift limits on the occupations that can claim for PTSD. It also refers to PTSD as a work illness.
Currently, Ontario offers recognition for several cancers as presumptive illnesses for firefighters in the sense that should a firefighter be diagnosed with one of the cancers that appear in the list it will be automatically assumed that it will be classed as a work-related illness.
According to Cheri DiNova, NDP MPP, PTSD cannot be faked any more than cancer could be faked. As a champion of its introduction into legislation she highlights that it would also be a sound financial move in the long term because it will increase the push to prevent PTSD, albeit it could place a burden on some municipalities.
Cost concerns are prevalent however, for Pat Vanini, who works at the Association of Municipalities in Ontario as executive director. She highlights that a one per cent tax increase in the province would generate below $50,000 – whereas arbitrated settlements added as much as $112million to police costs and $72million to fire department costs during 2014 alone.
The use of the term “presumption” will place the emphasis on employers to prove that PTSD is not caused by the occupation. This may involve medical assessments, psychiatric experts and more, with some critics arguing it places a difficult financial burden on employers.
Provincial Labour Minister Kevin Flynn dropped some hints about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being introduced as a “presumptive” occupational illness. He stated that Ontario had been looking at rulings in New Brunswick, Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba, with the latter being the first province that decided to lift limits on the occupations that can claim for PTSD. It also refers to PTSD as a work illness.
Currently, Ontario offers recognition for several cancers as presumptive illnesses for firefighters in the sense that should a firefighter be diagnosed with one of the cancers that appear in the list it will be automatically assumed that it will be classed as a work-related illness.
According to Cheri DiNova, NDP MPP, PTSD cannot be faked any more than cancer could be faked. As a champion of its introduction into legislation she highlights that it would also be a sound financial move in the long term because it will increase the push to prevent PTSD, albeit it could place a burden on some municipalities.
Cost concerns are prevalent however, for Pat Vanini, who works at the Association of Municipalities in Ontario as executive director. She highlights that a one per cent tax increase in the province would generate below $50,000 – whereas arbitrated settlements added as much as $112million to police costs and $72million to fire department costs during 2014 alone.
The use of the term “presumption” will place the emphasis on employers to prove that PTSD is not caused by the occupation. This may involve medical assessments, psychiatric experts and more, with some critics arguing it places a difficult financial burden on employers.
