B.C. Conservative member’s bill on firefighter health passes in rare feat
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VICTORIA – A bill by an Opposition Conservative in B.C.’s legislature about the health care of firefighters has passed through the legislature, an extremely rare occurrence for a private member’s bill.
The Firefighters’ Health Act, was brought forward by Langley-Walnut Grove MLA Misty Van Popta for first reading in May 2025 in the last legislative session and is now going to the lieutenant-governor for Royal Assent.
The legislation, when enacted, will establish a health-care plan for firefighters, including early cancer detection and mental health screening, and it will gather data to be used for assessing exposure risks.
The bill passed third reading on Monday, and Van Popta says it is only the second time in over 40 years where an Opposition member’s bill has passed through the B.C. legislature.
The legislation coincides with the B.C. government announcement in March that it has expanded compensation coverage for firefighters, adding another eight cancers to the list of eligible illnesses.
Van Popta says in a statement that firefighters face a significantly higher risk of developing cancer and there’s strong evidence that early detection and screening saves lives.
“This is the first legislation of its kind in Canada and an important step toward ensuring firefighters receive the support they deserve,” she says.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 13, 2026.
Note to readers:This is a corrected story. A previous version cited Van Popta saying it was the second time in history an Opposition member’s bill had passed through the B.C. legislature. Her office corrected this to say it was the second time in over 40 years.