Marking a Milestone: Ontario Awards First Medal for Paramedic Bravery

We’re thrilled to announce that the Ontario government has presented 10 paramedics from across the province with the inaugural Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery. This marks an important milestone as it’s the first time paramedics have been recognized in this way. The medals were given out at a special ceremony held at Queen's Park last night. The paramedics were honoured for their extraordinary acts of bravery, such as moving a crashed plane to rescue passengers, diving into Lake Ontario to save...

Paramedic Services Week 2023 – A Message from OAPC President Michael Sanderson

To mark the beginning of Paramedic Services Week 2023 (May 21-27), OAPC President Chief Michael Sanderson has recorded a video thanking paramedics and reflecting on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) within the profession.  “As I was reminded a few weeks ago, to always remember, nothing for us without us, words that apply across our entire community,” he said. “Happy Paramedic Services Week. Thank you for your service and please keep up the excellent work you do on a daily basis.”     The theme...

Ontario is getting set to celebrate paramedic services week 2023 with a spotlight on diversity

In honour of the nearly 11,000 dedicated paramedics in Ontario, Paramedic Services Week 2023 will kick off this Sunday, May 21 with a focus on "Diversity in Paramedicine - The Patient. The Provider. The Profession." The theme highlights the need to address the complexities and opportunities related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the profession and our communities. “Every day, Ontario paramedic services are entrusted with the responsibility of attending to individuals with diverse backgrounds and a wide range of...

Students enrolling in Northern Ontario paramedic programs may now be eligible to have their education fully covered

Those interested in becoming a paramedic and willing to train in Northern Ontario can now apply to receive full, upfront financial support as part of the government’s recently expanded Learn and Stay Grant. The grant will give eligible students the chance to receive full coverage for tuition, books and other costs, such as equipment and supplies. In return, graduates will commit to working in the region for a minimum of six months for every year of study. The purpose of the expansion is to...

39 Ontario paramedics recognized for excellence

Yesterday, 39 Ontario paramedics received their Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal bars for providing exemplary emergency medical services for at least 30 years. Honourary Lieutenant-General Richard Rohmer – the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chief’s Honourary Chief Emeritus – gave out the First, Second or Third Bars to these long-serving, deserving paramedics. The late Governor General of Canada, Romeo LeBlanc, created the Medal in 1994 as part of the Canadian Honours System. This recognition recognizes paramedics who have provided the highest...