Proposed policy amendments on societies and volunteer firefighters
On this page:
- Overview
- Summary
- How will this affect you?
- What have we heard from stakeholders?
- Learn more
- Contact
This consultation is now closed (May 16, 2025).
Overview
- What: Proposed policy amendments for societies and volunteer firefighters
- Who: Societies, fire chiefs, volunteer firefighters, industry associations, other stakeholders
- Why: To reflect legislative changes and clarify employer relationships
- Key topics: Societies, Firefighters, Legislative changes, Bill 18, Employer
Summary
The Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2019 (Bill 18) expanded the definition of “firefighter” and changed the definition of “worker” in the Workers Compensation Act, resulting in implications for society fire brigades that engage volunteer firefighters.
WorkSafeBC proposed amendments to policy to provide guidance on how the employer of a volunteer firefighter is determined. Following public consultation, the Board of Directors has approved those amendments.
How will this affect you?
- The proposed amendments may require society fire brigades to register with WorkSafeBC as an employer.
- Society fire brigades will, as a result, have rights and responsibilities as an employer under the Workers Compensation Act
What have we heard from stakeholders?
During the spring of 2025, we invited public feedback on the draft policy. The full submissions are linked below. As a result of those comments, several changes were made to the amendments. These included:
- Clarifying that workplace status applies to both the compensation and health and safety provisions of the Workers Compensation Act (Act).
- Clarified that a volunteer is not considered a worker unless so deemed or defined in the Act.
- Removed the reference to “sheltered workshop” as existing policy covers such situations adequately.
- The idea of “Nominal payment” was moved to the general guidance on volunteers section.
For full details of the changes, please see the links below.
Learn more
Contact
To contact our team with questions or comments, please email stakeholderrelations@worksafebc.com
