Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Services are facing an unsustainable 40% attrition rate. We cannot afford to keep training excellent paramedics only to lose them because they are overworked and underpaid compared to their peers.
Every time a Guelph paramedic leaves for a nearby municipality or the fire department, our community loses critical experience, and taxpayers foot the bill for recruitment and expensive overtime to cover empty shifts. It is time for a municipal government that stands behind all of our essential workers.
If elected Mayor, I will direct City Council to implement a two-point stabilization plan:
1. Implement “3-6-9” Retention and Recognition Pay
Unlike local police and fire services, Guelph paramedics currently do not receive “3-6-9” retention pay—guaranteed percentage increases that recognize and reward senior first responders at the 8, 17, and 23-year career marks. I will mandate parity in recognition pay to keep veteran, highly skilled Advanced and Primary Care Paramedics working right here in Guelph.
2. Leverage the Land Ambulance Service Grant (LASG) for Competitive Wages
In Ontario, municipal land ambulance costs are funded on a 50/50 cost-sharing basis with the Ministry of Health. We will aggressively pursue maximum provincial funding, ensuring that the cost of raising Guelph paramedic wages to a competitive regional standard is shared by the province, protecting the local tax base while securing the frontline.
Ontario Municipalities Are Already Leading the Way
This model is not unprecedented; it is becoming the standard for municipalities serious about emergency response:
- In Peel Region, a recent contract successfully reduced the compensation gap between paramedics and other first responders by half. The region secured a 24.5% wage increase over four years, demonstrating that competitive compensation is achievable.
- The province recently announced an average 9% base funding increase to the Land Ambulance Service Grant across Ontario for 2026. Neighboring regions are capitalizing on this: Halton Region secured over $27 million (an 11% increase), and Huron-Bruce secured nearly $17 million to support their services.
Guelph is falling behind. We have the provincial funding mechanisms available to us. What we lack is the political will at City Hall to authorize the investment. Under a Change To Grow administration, that ends. We will support the paramedics who support us.
Ontario Ambulance Act and 50/50 Cost-Sharing
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90a19
What it cites: This is the legal framework establishing the rules for land ambulance services in Ontario, grounding the fact that municipal land ambulance costs are funded on a 50/50 cost-sharing basis with the Ministry of Health.