Manitoba says it will expand presumptive coverage for firefighters at memorial ceremony
Posted September 26, 2026 5:29 pm.
First responders, families and officials gathered Saturday to honour of firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty as the provincial government pledged to expand coverage for firefighters.
As a part of the ceremony, five new names were added to the memorial Saturday afternoon.
Wendy Pilcher, whose husband Randy Pilcher’s name appears on the memorial wall, said her husband was very proud of his job and remained involved with the fire department even after retirement.
“I am very proud,” Pilcher said. “It’s such an honour seeing them recognized for the services they did. And so, sadly many of they passed away from occupational diseases.”
Lisa Lloyd-Scott is the daughter of one of the firefighters who were honoured at the ceremony.
Lloyd-Scott’s father, Dennis Lloyd, served in Winnipeg for 40 years. He was one of the firefighters who contributed to the province passing the Firefighters Compensation Act possible.
The law made presumptive coverage possible making it easier for firefighters, diagnosed with occupational illnesses to access Workers Compensation Board benefits by presuming the illness is work-related unless evidence demonstrates otherwise.
Lloyd himself had to access the coverage when he faced a battle with cancer after a life-long firefighting career.
“I remember him coming back home after a fire, coughing a lot,” Lloyd-Scott said, adding that he was able to access the coverage. “But he never made a big deal out of it.
At the ceremony Saturday, the province announced that it would expand the list of diseases eligible for presumptive coverage.
“Our government wants to be here to take care of the people who take care of Manitobans and firefighters certainly do that,” Malaya Marcelino, Manitoba’s minister of labour and immigration, said.
The bill is expected to be tabled at the Legislative Assembly when it comes back into session next week with more details on timelines and the list of eligible conditions yet to be released.
Nick Kasper, president of the union representing Winnipeg firefighters says with the new expanded coverage announced Saturday, the province was leading way once again.
“It is incredible, it is going to be monumental,” Kasper said. “It is going to help firefighters and their families and make sure that those protections are in place when they need them most.”
