EMS employers’ “interference unwelcome” say paramedics opposed to a regulatory college

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TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – March 26, 2013) – It is inappropriate for emergency service (EMS) employers to weigh-in to support college regulation for paramedics “when it is an issue for paramedics themselves to settle. Employer interference is unwelcome,” said union leaders representing the majority of certified Ontario paramedics at a Queen’s Park media conference, today.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) collectively represent 6500 certified Ontario paramedics already extensively regulated under the Ambulance Act and its regulations that ensure public safety and quality emergency medical care. This is in addition to the oversight of the ministry of health, base hospitals and EMS employers. Consequently, OPSEU and CUPE paramedic members have directed the unions to oppose a regulatory college as it would mean a fourth level of regulatory oversight for the profession.

Despite the existing regulatory regime and widespread opposition from paramedics to a regulatory college, an association that does not legally represent paramedics (in collective bargaining) has filed an application with the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) for a new fee-based college covering paramedics.

Recently EMS employers received communication from the president of the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs (OAPC) asking them to “assist” in distributing a college-related survey from the association that has applied to HPRAC for a regulatory college.

Today OPSEU and CUPE warned EMS employers to “stay out of the fray” and not interfere in the controversial college application.

“Given their intervention, it appears employers are weighing in to support college regulation, despite our objections. We want to build our relationship – but they apparently wish to undermine it. This intervention that assists a group that does not represent paramedics’ interest in negotiations should give paramedics cause for concern,” said Chris Day, a County of Renfrew paramedic and a CUPE ambulance sector leader.

OPSEU and CUPE are demanding EMS employers “level the playing field and make amends by circulating union information on a paramedic regulatory college where they have circulated pro college information and promise not to interfere in paramedics’ business again.”

OPSEU paramedics “look forward to HPRACs’ review of our profession and remain confident that they will determine the current system prevents our profession from meeting HPRACs risk of harm threshold,” said Jamie Ramage, OPSEU Ambulance Division chair and a city of Hamilton paramedic.

Regulatory colleges are not teaching colleges. Rather they set the criteria for professional certification, investigate complaints and discipline members regarding issues such as professional misconduct. CUPE and OPSEU take the position that this kind of oversight would shift the focus for systemic problems like health sector under funding and ambulance off load delays to individual paramedics and removes government accountability for policies and funding decisions that would have direct bearing on issues, incidences and the investigation of a paramedic.

Emily Visser, OPSEU Communications, (416) 557-7936