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Quebec paramedics: Future graduates face delayed careers
18 Oct
Summary
- Hundreds of future paramedics face delayed graduation.
- Internships are withheld as a union pressure tactic.
- Students cite frustration over postponed professional steps.
Future paramedics in Quebec are confronting significant career disruptions as hundreds face delayed graduations. This situation stems from a labour dispute where the paramedics' union is withholding internships, a critical step before graduation, as a pressure tactic. The collective agreement expired in 2023, leading to strike action and the subsequent pause on internships.
According to the federation of CEGEPS, 217 students have already seen their graduation dates pushed back, a number expected to rise among the approximately 800 students in Quebec's paramedic programs. The CSN union, representing 3,500 paramedics, acknowledges the unfortunate impact on students but deems it a necessary measure given their limited options as an essential service.
An agreement in principle reached last summer was rejected by over 70% of CSN-affiliated paramedics, who are seeking wage increases comparable to other public sector workers. The union highlights a concerning exodus of paramedics with two to five years of experience, attributing it to inadequate working conditions and pay, with wages ranging from $26 to $40 per hour. Students worry about the long-term consequences for the profession and a potential backlog once internships resume.
