In a sign of Niagara’s deepening emergency services crisis, paramedics, dispatchers, and occupational therapists with CUPE 911 voted 99% in favour of strike action last week, with 82% of members voting.

The overwhelming strike mandate follows years of surging call volumes, falling response times for the most critical calls, limited staffing growth, and widespread burnout. Without action to improve recruitment and retention, including better mental health supports and pay parity, workers warn the system will continue to deteriorate.

“This vote is about more than a contract. It’s about whether Niagara Region residents can count on emergency care when they need it most,” said Dave Barnett, a paramedic with 16 years of experience and president of CUPE 911 representing roughly 470 workers. “Niagara Region is underpaying paramedics and dispatchers, and it is resulting in our inability to get to the most critical patients with the appropriate resources.”

Response times are falling as system struggles to keep up

Data from Niagara EMS shows a steady erosion in response times for calls. Dispatchers are assigning ambulances slower than in previous years and paramedics are arriving later. This is of particular concern for cases of cardiac arrest where survival depends on rapid intervention.

In 2017, ambulances were assigned to cardiac arrest calls within two minutes, about 90% of the time. By 2024, that number cratered to 33%.

“These are not abstract numbers, these are lives,” said Barnett. “When response declines, survival rates can be affected. That should concern every resident in Niagara.”

Call volumes surge while staffing lags

Niagara EMS responded to more than 100,000 calls in 2024, an over 50% increase since 2020, while frontline staffing grew only modestly.

A persistent pay gap between first responders is making it difficult for the region to attract or keep paramedics. Primary Care Paramedics in Niagara earn 15 to 24% less than police and firefighters. While Niagara police get $20,000 a year in mental health support, paramedics receive just $3,000 despite high rates of PTSD. Looking elsewhere, Niagara paramedics earn substantially less than counterparts in Peel, Durham, Waterloo and other comparable regions.

“Paramedics and dispatchers are one of the three pillars of emergency response, but we’re treated like an afterthought,” said Barnett. “Parity with police and fire is not a luxury, it’s a necessity to stabilize the workforce.”

A 2025 CUPE 911 survey highlights the toll:

  • 60% say the job has negatively impacted their mental health
  • 44% have actively considered leaving Niagara EMS
  • Only 14% feel their mental health is supported by their employer
  • Only 11% feel their physical health is supported by their employer

“Our members continue to show up every day under immense pressure,” said Barnett. “It’s time for Niagara Region to show up for us so we can keep residents safe.”

The two sides return to the table on May 13.