Peterborough Paramedics Deliver Near-Unanimous Strike Mandate as Service Faces Growing Staffing and Injury Issues
185 out of 187 paramedics vote in favour of strike as CUPE 4911 members demand action on mental health, retention, recruitment, and pay equity
Paramedics with Peterborough City-County Paramedics (PCCP) delivered one of the strongest possible messages, with 185 out of 187 members voting in favour of a strike.
The 99% strike mandate, which saw 187 out of 193 bargaining unit members participating, comes as paramedics push for better mental health coverage, pay equity with other first responders, and improved protection for workplace injuries.
Members began bargaining in March with proposals to improve the paramedic service, including addressing recruitment challenges, providing support for workers dealing with the mental health impacts of the job, and ensuring paramedics are fairly compensated for their life-saving work.
“Paramedics don’t want to strike. We want to do our jobs, taking care of patients while we build our career in Peterborough,” said Jordan Lean, president of CUPE 4911. “Our members see what’s happening in this service and are saying enough is enough. We’re losing experienced people, injuries are increasing, and management isn’t responding with any urgency to support workers or end the crisis in the service.”
Mental health coverage falls short
One of members’ central proposals is improving mental health coverage for paramedics. Currently, full-time paramedics have just $500 of coverage per year which is enough to cover three sessions with a psychotherapist or psychologist. Part-time workers, meanwhile, receive no mental health benefits. PCCP is unwilling to extend mental health coverage to part-time paramedics.
“The people doing this work see trauma, death, and tragedy as part of their job every shift. That’s true for part-time paramedics who are new on the job as much as for 20-year full-time veterans,” said Lean. “It makes no sense to tell a part-time paramedic that their mental health is worth less. If we’re serious about keeping people in this profession, we need mental health support for everyone.”
Experienced paramedics are leaving
Over the last three years, 54 full-time and part-time paramedics have left the service, citing increased call volumes, lack of workplace support, and better wages and benefits elsewhere. At the same time, recruitment is becoming more difficult, with fewer applicants choosing Peterborough after graduating from paramedic programs.
“We’re losing the people who have the most experience and we’re having a harder time replacing them,” said Lean. “That should be setting off alarm bells. Instead, there’s no serious plan to keep experienced paramedics in the service.”
Solutions needed for changing realities
Paramedic work has become meaningfully more challenging in recent years in Peterborough even while wages have fallen relative to other emergency services.
Workplace injuries among CUPE 4911 increased by 50 per cent between 2024 and 2025 while 14 per cent of full-time paramedics were off due to work injuries in 2025 alone. Peterborough paramedics, meanwhile, earn roughly 20 per cent less than other first responders which has led to an exodus of experienced medics to local and neighbouring police and fire services.
“185 paramedics voted to strike to send a clear message to management, the Chief, and city and county councillors that the status quo simply isn’t working,” said Lean. “We want a fair agreement that supports the people doing this work, and Peterborough residents deserve a paramedic service that is strong, stable, and there for them when they need it.”
The parties are currently scheduled to return to the bargaining table on October 6.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love