MPP Cheri DiNovo tabled a private member’s bill last week that would accelerate the claims of front-line workers with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of work.

If passed, it would expedite the claims of front-line workers, including police officers and paramedics, who suffer from PTSD. It would also mean that it would be assumed that front-line workers developed the illness at work.

DiNovo said the proposed legislation follows the pattern of the presumptive legislation for Ontario firefighters “where it’s presumed that firefighters contracted the cancers that they do from their job rather than having to prove that the did,” she told 680News.

Dave McFadden, president of the Police Association of Ontario said the group welcomes the proposed legislation because front-line workers need immediate treatment.

“We feel it’s quite imperative that officers, the police officers, and the front-line personnel that deal with these sort of incidents, are treated as quickly possible and diagnosed with PTSD,” he said.

Colin Grieve of the Ontario Professional Firefighters Association said claims by front-line workers can drag on for months.

“When I was first started doing this work in 1997, it would not be unheard of to have a claim take 12-18 months to get entitlement,” he said.

It is the third attempt to approve the bill by the New Democrat MPP. DiNovo did not get a second reading in her previous attempts in 2008 and 2010.

“It’s now broadened to include all of the front-line workers — firefighters, paramedics, and police,” she said.

DiNovo said with a Liberal minority government and better understanding of the illness, the legislation may have a shot.

“We’re in a minority government situation so that again is a help here,” she said.