Bill 2 First Responder Protection

Bill 2                                                            2014

An Act to amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 with respect to post-traumatic stress disorder

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

   1.  The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 is amended by adding the following sections:

Presumption re: emergency response workers, etc.

Definitions

   15.3  (1)  In this section,

“emergency response worker” means a firefighter, police officer or paramedic; (“intervenant d’urgence”)

“firefighter” has the same meaning as in subsection 1 (1) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997; (“pompier”)

“paramedic” has the same meaning as in subsection 1 (1) of the Ambulance Act; (“auxiliaire médical”)

“police officer” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Police Services Act; (“agent de police”)

“post-traumatic stress disorder” means an anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event or experience with symptoms that may include flashbacks, nightmares and intense feelings of fear or horror.  (“trouble de stress post-traumatique”)

Many other professionals are Not protected. Corrections, Youth Workers, Nurses, Social Workers, Family Workers and Personal Support Workers  to name just a few

Please contact Cheri DiNova

dinovoc-qp@ndp.on.ca