Emergency and security services sector

The Emergency and Security Services (ESS) sector is made up of paramedic emergency communication, fire service, police, correctional, and security workers. Within CUPE, most ESS workers are emergency medical service workers – paramedics, communication officers, administrative, maintenance and support staff.

CUPE is the largest union of paramedic or emergency medical staff in Canada, representing 9,400 workers. Our members include all paramedic staff in British Columbia and Prince Edward Island, most paramedic staff in Ontario, and some EMS staff in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador. In Quebec, nearly a thousand paramedics have joined CUPE since 2020. CUPE represents emergency communication staff in Ontario, BC, Quebec, and New Brunswick.