Media Statement: October 28, 2026
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE COUNTY
CUPE 4911 PARAMEDIC COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UPDATE
County offer responds to Union demands and makes Peterborough paramedics highest paid in Eastern Ontario
Peterborough County remains focused on reaching a fair, negotiated agreement with CUPE Local 4911, which represents paramedics, ahead of the union’s strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 31.
The County’s latest offer tabled on October 27, responds directly to issues paramedics have raised, including wages and mental health supports for full-time and part-time employees. It includes wage increases totaling almost 18 per cent over 3 years, along with expanded mental health coverage to include $5,000 annually for full-time paramedics and their dependents, along with the new inclusion of $2,000 annually for each part-time paramedic.
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.
The County and the Union leadership see recruitment and retention differently, and the County’s data tells a different story than the figures shared publicly by the Union. On average, only nine paramedics or 5% of total paramedics leave the service per year, for various reasons. Regardless of those differences, the County has tabled a fair offer that recognizes the demanding work paramedics do while remaining responsible to taxpayers across the County and City.
Our paramedics are there for residents on the worst days of their lives, and we value the work they do. Our offer reflects that. A resolution, without a strike, is the best outcome for paramedics, for patients and for our community. To that end, the employer requested that all outstanding issues be resolved through third-party interest arbitration both before and after the Union declared an impasse in bargaining. The Union refused.
Paramedic service will continue
Residents should know that emergency paramedic services will continue in the event of a strike. Ontario law requires that essential paramedic services be maintained during any labour disruption. The County is prepared to ensure paramedics continue to respond to emergencies across the County and City. While the County and the Union have ongoing differences regarding the number of resources to be used during a strike, the County will work to ensure that the essential paramedic services are maintained.
Residents should continue to call 9-1-1 in an emergency, as they always would.
The County will provide updates as the situation evolves. Click here for updates
Media Statement: October 28, 2026
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE COUNTY
CUPE 4911 PARAMEDIC COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UPDATE
County offer responds to Union demands and makes Peterborough paramedics highest paid in Eastern Ontario
Peterborough County remains focused on reaching a fair, negotiated agreement with CUPE Local 4911, which represents paramedics, ahead of the union’s strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 31.
The County’s latest offer tabled on October 27, responds directly to issues paramedics have raised, including wages and mental health supports for full-time and part-time employees. It includes wage increases totaling almost 18 per cent over 3 years, along with expanded mental health coverage to include $5,000 annually for full-time paramedics and their dependents, along with the new inclusion of $2,000 annually for each part-time paramedic.
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.
The County and the Union leadership see recruitment and retention differently, and the County’s data tells a different story than the figures shared publicly by the Union. On average, only nine paramedics or 5% of total paramedics leave the service per year, for various reasons. Regardless of those differences, the County has tabled a fair offer that recognizes the demanding work paramedics do while remaining responsible to taxpayers across the County and City.
Our paramedics are there for residents on the worst days of their lives, and we value the work they do. Our offer reflects that. A resolution, without a strike, is the best outcome for paramedics, for patients and for our community. To that end, the employer requested that all outstanding issues be resolved through third-party interest arbitration both before and after the Union declared an impasse in bargaining. The Union refused.
Paramedic service will continue
Residents should know that emergency paramedic services will continue in the event of a strike. Ontario law requires that essential paramedic services be maintained during any labour disruption. The County is prepared to ensure paramedics continue to respond to emergencies across the County and City. While the County and the Union have ongoing differences regarding the number of resources to be used during a strike, the County will work to ensure that the essential paramedic services are maintained.
Residents should continue to call 9-1-1 in an emergency, as they always would.
The County will provide updates as the situation evolves. Click here for updates
