Potential reductions in ambulance services in Peterborough County during a labour dispute could result in increased demands on neighbouring paramedic services, including those in Northumberland County and Kawartha Lakes.
According to Jordan Lean, President of CUPE Local 4911, an agreement reached between the union and the County of Peterborough will see frontline ambulance service levels reduced by 20 per cent in the event of a strike or lockout.
The Essential Ambulance Services Agreement (EASA) was reached on Friday, November 6, 2026.
However, Lean says the reductions could have consequences beyond Peterborough County, particularly when emergency calls require an ambulance and local resources are unavailable.
“To put it simply: if there are few or no ambulances available in Peterborough County and high-priority calls (Red and Purple) are holding, the next closest ambulance is assigned,” Lean stated.
“Depending on the location, this means ambulances from Kawartha Lakes or Northumberland County would respond to calls within Peterborough County.”
Lean acknowledged that neighbouring ambulance services already provide assistance under normal operating conditions. However, the union believes the reduced service levels under the EASA will likely increase how frequently those calls are handled by outside services.
“This risks draining resources from our neighbouring services and leaving them with fewer ambulances to cover their own communities,” he said.
Under the agreement, frontline ambulance service levels will be reduced by 20 per cent if CUPE 4911 members go on strike or are locked out.
Lean also pointed out that the County of Peterborough proposed that the Community Paramedicine Program would not operate as part of the agreement.
Additional community programs and specialty teams, including tactical paramedics, would also cease operating during a labour disruption.
CUPE 4911 will return to a legal strike position effective Friday, November 13, 2026. However, the union stressed that no official strike date has been established.
“The decision of when to initiate strike action rests with CUPE 4911 and will be communicated with respect to all appropriate timelines,” Lean said.
The union says it remains hopeful the County will return to the bargaining table prepared to negotiate an agreement that avoids disruptions to the community.
“We have and will continue to bargain in good faith, seeking a fair agreement that respects our members and supports the long-term sustainability of paramedic services in Peterborough,” Lean stated.
“Our members deserve more than an offer that fails to recognize the value of the work they do.”
In response to concerns about the potential impact on neighbouring communities, Trisha Bromfield, Chief of Paramedic Services, said Ontario’s paramedic system already has established procedures for situations requiring assistance between neighbouring jurisdictions.
“Paramedic services in Ontario operate within a coordinated system, with established plans for neighbouring services to provide assistance when needed,” Bromfield stated.
She added that assistance from surrounding paramedic services is managed through established deployment and operational protocols.
“These protocols take into consideration maintaining emergency response coverage in the communities being supported and those providing assistance.”
While no strike date has been announced, the November 13 deadline puts CUPE 4911 back in a legal position to initiate strike action.
For communities in the surrounding region, the central question is how frequently neighbouring ambulances could be called into Peterborough County and what impact that could have on emergency response coverage closer to home.
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
