TORONTO, ON – Paramedics with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are raising concerns about non-medical grade masks that may have entered some Ontario land ambulance services supplies. Ontario’s health minister yesterday told media that non-medical grade masks introduced into the paramedic service in Renfrew County entered the supply chain through sources other than…
This year, on May 1st, First Responders Day, we recognize workers who are often the first point of contact in this pandemic – and recommit to address the challenges first responders face. CUPE Ontario and the CUPE Ambulance Committee of Ontario (CACO) extends their gratitude to the 5,500 paramedics and ambulance communication officers (ACOs) who respond to calls and…
Paramedic services in Ontario are under serious pressure. Demand for land ambulances is rising and there are growing delays caused by the inability to offload patients at hospitals. As a result, too often, ambulance coverage in Ontario is critically low, putting the health and safety of Ontario residents at risk. Because of funding pressures, municipalities…
TORONTO – The union representing a majority of Ontario paramedics released a report today, detailing rising call volume and ambulance shortages in 22 regions. CUPE submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests in all municipalities where it represents paramedics and dispatchers, in order to track “code zeros” – times when no ambulance is available to respond…
NEWMARKET, ON – On Friday, November 15th, at 11 a.m., paramedics represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) will visit the constituency office of Minister of Health Christine Elliott. Paramedics are concerned about government plans to restructure land ambulance in Ontario, and rumours of privatization. Many communities are already grappling with ambulance shortages…
This year, on May 1st, CUPE Ontario and the CUPE Ambulance Committee of Ontario (CACO) are again recognizing First Responders Day. We would like to express our immense pride in the commitment and compassion paramedics and health care staff bring to saving lives every day in Ontario. Our support for you and our pride in…
LONDON, ON – The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is proud to welcome the paramedics from Oneida Nation of the Thames into Canada’s largest union. These newest CUPE members were looking for a strong union with a proven track record on important issues for paramedics. “We are thrilled to have the Oneida paramedics join…
OTTAWA, ON – If they had to call for medical assistance for themselves or a family member in Ottawa, nearly 85 per cent of those who participated in the poll about provincial changes to 911 delivery said they prefer a response by an ambulance service. Less than 6 per cent said they preferred a…
TORONTO, ON – A new provincial poll released today shows that Ontarians aren’t on board for recent Liberal government changes that would redirect 911 medical calls away from paramedic ambulance services to fire departments. If they had to make a 911 call for medical assistance for themselves or a family member, more than 83 per…
TORONTO, ON – In an uncommon show of opposition to changes to paramedic pre-hospital medical care, dozens of paramedics from several communities are protesting at the Ontario Legislature tomorrow (Tuesday, December 12 at 10:00 a.m.) amendments to the Ambulance Act they believe will hurt patients needing emergency medical care. The government plans third and…
