Gélinas – Crisis in Paramedic Services Needs Action

QUEEN’S PARK – This morning in the Queen’s Park Media Studio, Paramedics from across Ontario and NDP Health critic France Gélinas called for a provincial task force to address shortages of ambulances and dangerous wait times communities across the province are experiencing.

“This afternoon I’ll be tabling a motion directing the Government of Ontario to put in place an all party task force with legislators, representation from the ministries of health, long term care, and municipal affairs, municipalities and paramedic unions” said Gélinas. “This committee will be directed to make recommendations within one year, for funding, training, recruitment and retention. We need to act now; in a medical emergency seconds count and Ontarians are already waiting too long.”

Rob Moquin, Unifor National Service Representative stated “Paramedics across Ontario, especially in Northern communities, are stretched to their limits. The chronic staffing shortages, long hours and lack of mental health support are driving skilled paramedics out of the profession. It’s time for the Ford government to step up and work with stakeholders to ensure paramedics have the resources they need to provide life-saving care. The proposed task force is a critical step toward finding real solutions to this crisis."

Joel Usher Chair of the OPSEU/SEFPO Ambulance Division shared “Ontario has been tracking paramedic response times and paramedic performance plans for the past ten years and the data is not trending in favour of our patients. Sometimes the solution is just as simple as it seems. For the sake of all those we care for, Ontario needs more highly skilled paramedics staffing more patient-transporting ambulances”

“Everyone in Ontario should be able to get an ambulance when they need one. But the reality is, in a life-threatening emergency, there might not be anyone available to help. The root of this problem is a staffing crisis among paramedics, but Doug Ford and the PCs won’t act to fix it. That’s why I am glad to see today’s announcement from the Ontario NDP. A task force to address some of the long-standing issues faced by paramedics is our best hope for resolving this crisis.” Niko Georgiadis, Chair of CUPE’s Ambulance Committee of Ontario added.

Advanced Care Paramedic Stephen Adlington from County of Lambton EMS added “I am angry that this crisis has been considered ok for too long - that stress, burnout, addiction and suicide are just seen as occupational hazards. This ugly reality means fewer paramedics to respond to public emergencies. Response times are longer when we can’t keep frontline paramedics. A quicker response could mean the difference between a full recovery, a life-altering injury or even death. Paramedics are a lifeline for our communities and we are here to demand ours.”

Gélinas’ motion will be tabled this afternoon.