These are the questions CCSN has posed to the candidates in the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador Election Campaign. Scroll down to read the answers.
Question 1: Colorectal Cancer Screening – Removing the Age Restriction
The projected cancer cases by geographic region in Canada in 2024 demonstrate that Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest Age Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR) per 100,000 population across Canada with an ASIR of 81.3. Newfoundland and Labrador also has the highest Age Standardized Incidence Mortality Rate (ASIMR) per 100,000 population across Canada with an ASIMR of 36.3. (1)
We are pleased that Newfoundland and Labrador residents can now self-refer for colon screening through the province’s MyHealthNL app; however there still remains an age restriction, and you need to fall within the ages of 50-74 to be eligible for this self-referral colon cancer screening program. This age bracket exists despite the fact that the incidence of colorectal cancer is rising among individuals aged 25-49 and even though the risk of cancer increases with age. Early detection of cancer results in earlier, less invasive treatment, improves healthcare outcomes, and reduces treatment costs for healthcare systems, patients, caregivers. (2). If elected, will you work to remove age restrictions and ensure all Newfoundland and Labrador residents can access colorectal cancer screening?
Question 2: Wildland Firefighters Presumptive Cancer Coverage
This summer, Newfoundland experienced multiple wildfires. In fact almost 230 wildfires have been reported, according to the province’s active wildfire dashboard — more than double the 96 reported in 2024. (3).
Even though the International Agency for Research on Cancer reclassified the occupational exposure of structural and wildland firefighters as carcinogenic to humans (highest category) in 2022, wildland firefighters in Newfoundland and Labrador still lack presumptive cancer coverage. This leaves them vulnerable to occupational health risks.
Workplace Newfoundland and Labrador applies presumptive coverage based on total periods of employment for firefighters with regular exposure to fire hazards, excluding forest fires (4). Given the occupational health risks wildland firefighters are exposed to, if elected, will you ensure wildland firefighters are granted presumptive cancer coverage?
Question 3: Continuation of Cancer Care during Natural Disasters (Wildfires)
Canada has experienced a significant increase in the annual area burned and the number of large fires since the mid-20th century. The 2025 wildfire season has only further continued this alarming trajectory (5).In Newfoundland and Labrador, this wildfire season has been unprecedented with hundreds of forest fires and multiple evacuation orders.
With the increase in natural disasters due to climate change, if elected, how will you ensure the continuation of cancer care, including screening, and cancer treatment to ensure patients’ treatment and care will not be impacted during wildfire evacuation orders.
References
(1) Cancer statistics at a glance. Canadian Cancer Society. 2024. Available at: https://cancer.ca/en/research/cancer-statistics/cancer-statistics-at-a-glance#:~:text=There%20are%20differences%20across%20Canada,Quebec%20and%20the%20Atlantic%20provinces
(2) Never Too Young: A Policy Brief on Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines. Colorectal Cancer Canada. 2025. Available at: https://www.colorectalcancercanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Under-45-Program-Brief.v4.pdf
(3) N.L. lifts over month-long provincewide fire ban. CBC News. 2025. Available at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-fire-ban-lifted-1.7632573
(4) Significant Gaps Remain in Canada’s Presumptive Coverage for Wildland Firefighters. The Canadian Wildfire Network. 2025. Available at: https://www.thecanadianwildfirenetwork.com/s/stories/significant-gaps-remain-in-canadas-presumptive-coverage-for-wildland-firefighters-2
(5) The May-June 2025 Central Canada Fires: National Challenges of a Warming Climate and
Cascading International Impacts. United Nations University. Institute for Water, Environment and Health. Available at https://collections.unu.edu/eserv/UNU:10192/UNU-INWEH_incident-Brief_CAFire-May-June-2025-final.pdf
