The Independent among top newspapers in Canada
Province makes it easier for firefighters diagnosed with some cancers to get benefits
March 3, 2023
Firefighters diagnosed with thyroid and pancreatic cancers will have faster access to benefits.
Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced Friday WSIB will presume both thyroid and pancreatic cancer are linked to firefighting.
Expanded coverage for claims related to thyroid and pancreatic cancers would be retroactive to January 1, 1960. These changes would apply to full-time, volunteer, and part-time firefighters, firefighters employed by First Nations band councils and fire investigators. Making the cancers presumptive will take the burden off the firefighters to prove there is a link between their work and the cancers.
“By expanding the list of presumptive cancers to include thyroid and pancreatic cancers, firefighters will get faster access to compensation and other benefits, ultimately supporting their recovery,” says McNaughton in a news release.
Firefighters die of cancer at a rate up to four times higher than the general population. On average, 50 to 60 firefighters die of cancer yearly in Canada, and half from Ontario.
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The Independent among top newspapers in Canada
September 18, 2024
The Independent The Independent of Petrolia and Central Lambton has won four national awards at the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards. Newspapers of similar circulation size compete against each other and are judged by a panel of industry experts in 27 categories. There were nearly 800 entries this year. The Independent placed second in its division in the prestigious Best All-Around
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‘Opportunity to make some money’ now says wind developer
September 18, 2024
Wind project generate $500,000 a year for Brooke-Alvinston Heather Wright/The Independent Peter Budd says the crunch is on for new power sources and municipal governments have a chance to make some cash. The representative of Venfor Inc – a team of developers and entrepreneurs with decades of experience in the Ontario electricity and natural gas sectors according to a filing
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Petrolia for cash in second round of housing funding
September 16, 2024
Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia is hoping the second time will be a charm. The town will again apply for the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund. The federal program was announced early in 2024 and early this summer Petrolia and Plympton-Wyoming and Warwick were shut out of funding which would have allowed the municipalities to attract more affordable housing investment in
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Town may recognize Petrolia White Rose Band with plaque
September 16, 2024
Heather Wright/The Independent Norm Sutherland wants Petrolia to honour its musical history. He’s written a letter to town council asking if it will consider erecting a plaque at the new bandshell, built as a legacy project during the town’s 150th anniversary. “Mr. Percie Cox, musical director of the Petrolia White Rose Band and teacher of almost all of the youngsters
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