Mr. Speaker, first responders are real life super heros. They run towards danger to save lives using incredible skills few possess. We rely on them to protect us and they, in turn, rely on us to do all we can to prioritize their safety and well-being because unlike in comic books and action movies, there are no super powers that can make them immune to illness and injury.
When wounded warriors stepped up to provide easier access to services for firefighters, particularly regarding mental health, it revealed a gap that showed PTSD was not covered by WSCC legislation. This gap also revealed several cancers which firefighters are increasingly afflicted with that are also not covered; and, that the latency periods for presumed coverage was too long for those that are currently included in the legislation. An update to this legislation is therefore required to ensure WSCC has all the policies needed to ensure acquiring treatment for cancer is streamlined and more benefits and services are available to firefighters and their families.
In this process to update WSCC legislation and bring it in line with other jurisdictions in Canada, such as British Columbia and Alberta who do provide this coverage, who are working to improve the lives of their workers and compensation, firefighters are advocating for changes that have been -- and become frustrated when it's become clear that our WSCC process is very complicated and slow in both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, firefighters have been waiting ten years for those changes, and now they're told they must wait another two years for the next election in Nunavut to take place. They cannot wait any longer as their occupation becomes increasingly dangerous.
The Northwest Territories has already fallen well behind the rest of Canada in protecting our firefighters from serious illness. When will the Minister choose to work closer with his counterparts and establish a clear timeline for this crucial legislation? These are our first responders that keep our communities safe. They've been waiting for too long for this help. We need to help our firefighters and first responders now and give them the support they need. And I hope the Minister will agree with me when I ask him questions later today. Thank you.