Rights and safety at work

Firefighter cancer in Quebec: the 15 recognized cancers

Since May 1, 2025, 15 cancers have been presumed linked to firefighter work. Years of service, CNESST claims, deadlines and benefits.

November 10, 2026 · By the Agent Pompier editorial team · Lire en français

Rights and safety at work

Since May 1, 2025, 15 cancers have been presumed to be linked to firefighter work in Quebec, under Schedule A of the Regulation respecting occupational diseases, up to date as of July 1, 2026. The link with the job is then presumed: a firefighter who meets the conditions of the regulation does not have to prove it.

This text applies to all firefighters, women and men. Employers and job types are covered in our page on working as a firefighter.

The occupational disease presumption

Section 29 of the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases (chapter A-3.001) creates this presumption for a disease listed by regulation. On the day of the diagnosis, the worker must meet the special conditions tied to that disease.

For firefighters, Schedule A of the regulation sets these conditions.

Exposure to fire gas and smoke during operations to control the fire, during clearing or during the investigation after the fire is out
Being or having been a full-time or part-time operational firefighter employed by a city or a municipality
A diagnosis made after a minimum length of employment that varies by cancer, except for non-pulmonary mesothelioma
For lung cancer and cancer of the larynx, not having smoked in the 10 years before the diagnosis

The 15 cancers and the years of service required

Cancer	Minimum length of employment before diagnosis
Lung cancer or pulmonary mesothelioma	15 years, without smoking in the previous 10 years
Cancer of the larynx	15 years, without smoking in the previous 10 years
Non-pulmonary mesothelioma	No minimum
Multiple myeloma	15 years
Skin cancer (melanoma)	15 years
Prostate cancer	15 years
Kidney cancer	20 years
Bladder cancer	20 years
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma	20 years
Colorectal cancer	20 years
Esophageal cancer	20 years
Breast cancer	10 years
Testicular cancer	10 years
Brain cancer	10 years
Leukemia	5 years

Source: Regulation respecting occupational diseases, Schedule A, Division VIII, up to date as of July 1, 2026.

According to document DC100-2226-3B of the CNESST (Quebec's labour standards and workplace safety board), the presumption applies to claims received after October 6, 2021 for the first nine cancers in the table. For the last six, it is after May 1, 2025.

A cancer that is not on the list

A firefighter who does not meet these conditions can still file a claim. Under section 30 of the Act, the firefighter must show the CNESST that the disease is characteristic of the work or directly related to its particular risks.

The difference is the burden of proof. Without the presumption, the worker must establish the link.

Filing a claim with the CNESST

The CNESST page Quoi faire si vous êtes atteint d'une maladie professionnelle? describes four steps.

See a health professional, who provides the medical certificate
Notify the employer quickly and give them a copy of the certificate
Fill out the Réclamation du travailleur (worker's claim) and the schedule that matches the medical situation, online in MonEspace CNESST, then give a copy to the employer
Attend the medical examinations requested

Deadlines

Section 272 gives six months to file the claim. The deadline runs from the moment the worker learns that they have an occupational disease.

According to the CNESST, it starts when the diagnosis is made and the worker realizes the probable link between the disease and the work.

Section 31.1 adds a limit. If the claim is filed more than three years after the diagnosis, the date the disease appeared and the date the worker became unable to work are deemed to be the date the claim was filed, for calculating certain benefits. The CNESST can extend a deadline if the person shows a reasonable motive (section 352).

Contesting a decision

A review of a CNESST decision must be requested within 30 days of being notified of the decision (section 358). The review decision can be contested before the Tribunal administratif du travail within 60 days of being notified (section 359).

Benefits at a glance

If the firefighter is still employed and becomes unable to work, the employer pays 90% of their net salary for each day they would have worked, for the 14 full days that follow (section 60). After that, the Act provides:

The income replacement indemnity, equal to 90% of the weighted net income the worker derives annually from the employment (section 45). It ends, among other cases, on the worker's 68th birthday, or four years after the start of the inability if the injury occurs at age 64 or older (section 57)
Health services tied to the injury (section 189)
An indemnity for bodily injury in case of permanent impairment (section 83)
In case of death, a lump sum and a pension to the spouse equal to 55% of the income replacement indemnity (sections 98 and 101)

This text summarizes public documents. It is not legal advice or medical advice.

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Frequently asked questions

Is cancer an occupational disease?

Yes, in some cases. A cancer is an occupational disease if the regulation presumes it or if the worker shows its link with the work. For firefighters, 15 cancers have had the presumption since May 1, 2025.

Which cancers are recognized for firefighters?

The regulation names 15: lung or pulmonary mesothelioma, non-pulmonary mesothelioma, kidney, bladder, larynx, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma, prostate, brain, colorectal, leukemia, esophagus, breast and testicle. Their minimum lengths of employment go up to 20 years.

What is the occupational disease table for cancer?

In Quebec, it is Division VIII of Schedule A of the Regulation respecting occupational diseases, reproduced in the table above.

Which occupational diseases are recognized in Quebec?

Schedule A of the regulation groups them in eight divisions, including diseases caused by chemical agents, skin diseases, mental disorders and oncological diseases. A disease that is not on the list can also be recognized.

What are the cancer risks for firefighters?

According to the CNESST, exposure to fire gas and smoke is the main cause of cancer among firefighters. It writes that these substances settle on turnout gear.

What are your rights at work if you have cancer?

If the cancer is recognized, section 32 of the Act prohibits the employer from dismissing, suspending or penalizing the worker for that reason. The worker is also entitled to the indemnities and health services set out in the Act.