Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

A: The mental health of our paramedics is paramount. In 2022, Peterborough County on its own accord, without requests from CUPE 4911, implemented unlimited mental health supports to all full-time and part-time paramedics. No doctor referral is required. As the employer, we trust if a paramedic is accessing the services, then there is a need. In addition, each full-time paramedic, and their families, have access to $500/year each in mental health supports through Peterborough County’s group health benefit plan. 

In its latest offer, tabled on October 27, the County met CUPE 4911's proposal for mental health support, expanding this coverage to $5,000 per year for full-time paramedics and their dependents. The County also proposed, for the first time in the collective agreement, a new $2,000 per year in mental health coverage for each part-time paramedic.

The County’s commitment to mental health doesn’t end with medical coverage.  There are additional supports, including but not limited to:

• A wellness fund of $500/year that can be used for any purpose that supports the employees physical, mental or personal well being;
• Employee & Family Assistance Program;
• Discounted fitness membership and where able, fitness equipment is provided at ambulance bases;
• An internal Peer Support Team; and
• Charlie, our trained Facility dog.  

A: The current three-year Collective Agreement between Peterborough County and the Union CUPE 4911 expired on December 31, 2025. The County is responsible for providing land ambulance services and pre-hospital emergency care to the residents of the County, the City of Peterborough, Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations. Negotiations on a new Collective Agreement commenced in the spring of 2026.

The current Collective Agreement can be reviewed on the Government of Ontario’s website: Collective Agreement between Peterborough County and CUPE 4911

Although the current Collective Agreement expired on December 31, 2025, it remains in effect until a new agreement is reached. On October 27, CUPE 4911 advised that bargaining was at an impasse in response to the County’s latest offer. Unless a settlement is reached, CUPE 4911 will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

A: The negotiation process includes representatives from both CUPE 4911 and Peterborough County.

• CUPE 4911’s Negotiations Committee is composed of the Local Union President, a CUPE National Representative, and elected members from the bargaining unit.
• The County’s Negotiations Committee includes the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, General Manager of People Services, and members of the Paramedic Leadership Team.

The County and CUPE 4911 met on seven separate occasions, including conciliation, facilitated by an Officer appointed by the Ministry of Labour. Most recently, on Tuesday, October 27, the parties met with the assistance of the provincially appointed mediator. The County tabled an improved offer; however, the CUPE 4911 advised that bargaining was at an impasse. The County remains focused on reaching a fair, negotiated agreement ahead of the strike deadline.

A: Peterborough County remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement, as has been the case in previous rounds of bargaining.

If an agreement is not reached at the bargaining table, the process is governed by provincial legislation, including the Ambulance Services Collective Bargaining Act, 2001 and the Labour Relations Act, 1995. These statutes establish a structured process that may include conciliation, mediation, interest arbitration, or a work disruption, depending on the circumstances and the direction of the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

There is a clear legal framework in place to guide the parties toward resolution. One option under this framework is third-party interest arbitration, in which an independent arbitrator decides the outstanding issues. The County proposed that all outstanding issues be resolved through interest arbitration, both before and after the CUPE 4911 declared an impasse in bargaining. CUPE 4911 refused.

A: Paramedics provide a vital and critical public service. However, under the Federal labour relations framework, paramedic services are not designated as an “essential service” in the same manner as police and fire services. The Ambulance Services Collective Bargaining Act  requires that an Essential Ambulance Services Agreement (EASA) be in place during any labour dispute to ensure that core emergency services continue to be provided to the community.

A: On October 27, the CUPE4911 advised that bargaining was at an impasse in response to the County’s latest offer. Unless a settlement is reached, CUPE 4911 will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The County respects paramedics’ legal right to strike and the CUPE 4911’s role as their bargaining agent. The County’s goal is a fair negotiated settlement, while balancing affordability to the taxpayer. To that end, the County proposed that all outstanding issues be resolved through third-party interest arbitration, both before and after the CUPE 4911 declared an impasse. The Union refused. 

A: The County and CUPE 4911 leadership see recruitment and retention differently, and the County’s data tells a different story than the figures shared publicly by CUPE 4911. On average only nine paramedics or 5% of total paramedics leave the service per year, for various reasons. In the paramedic industry, it is common for part-time paramedics to work for multiple services at the onset of their career. Of the staff we have lost, the majority are part-time paramedics who have gained full-time employment at another service. We are in the enviable position of having hundreds of applicants each time we recruit.

A: The County’s latest offer, tabled on October 27, responds directly to the issues paramedics have raised, including wages and mental health supports for full-time and part-time paramedics. It includes:

• Wage increases totaling almost 18 per cent over three years, which would make Peterborough’s paramedics the highest paid among Eastern Ontario paramedic services that have settled to date, and a top-tier paramedic service in Ontario;
• $5,000 per year in mental health coverage for full-time paramedics and their dependents, meeting the Union’s proposal;
• A new $2,000 per year in mental health coverage for each part-time paramedic; and
• A willingness to enhance vision benefits and paramedical benefits (chiropractor, massage and physiotherapy).

The County did not seek any concessions from the Union in exchange for these improvements.

A: Peterborough County recognizes the professionalism, skill, and dedication of its paramedics and values the critical service they provide to the residents of the Region. The County’s latest offer tabled on October 27, responds directly to the issues paramedics have raised, including wages and mental health supports for full time and part-time employees. It includes wage increases totaling almost 18% over 3 years.

The County’s wage proposal would make our paramedics the highest paid among Eastern Ontario paramedic services that have settled to date, and a top-tier paramedic service in Ontario.

A: A resolution date has not been confirmed. Peterborough County will share updates about the labour situation and any resulting service changes as information becomes available. For recent updates please visit: https://engage.ptbocounty.ca/paramedics

Our focus remains on reaching a fair agreement that recognizes their valuable contributions to our community while balancing affordability to the taxpayer.

A:  Ontario law provides that paramedic services are subject to specific legislative requirements designed to protect core emergency services during a labour dispute.

Before any work disruption could occur, Peterborough County and  CUPE 4911 must have an Essential Ambulance Services Agreement (EASA) in place to ensure public safety. If the parties are unable to reach agreement, the Ontario Labour Relations Board would determine the required level of service. A work disruption cannot legally occur unless this process has been completed.

A: Yes. Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should continue to call 9-1-1. Emergency calls will continue to be received and assessed, and paramedic services will be dispatched. Depending on call volumes, response times for non-urgent calls may be longer than usual. Residents should not delay calling 9-1-1 in a medical emergency.

A: Yes. Paramedics will continue to respond to emergency calls. Calls will be assessed and prioritized based on medical urgency.

A: As always, response times depend on call volume, the medical urgency of each call and the availability of paramedic resources.

A: The County will publish confirmed updates through its Engage Ptbo County website https://engage.ptbocounty.ca/paramedics and official County social media channels: Facebook and Instagram.

Updates may include the status and timing of any labour disruption, public safety instructions, and notices when normal operations resume. Residents, visitors, businesses, and media are encouraged to rely on these official sources and to check them regularly, as circumstances may change quickly.