E-Mail Template

Dear Budget Committee,

My name is _________ and I've been a paramedic with CUPE Local 416 for ________ years.

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention the critical need for increased funding to the paramedic services in our city. The current state of paramedic services is facing several challenges that demand immediate attention and additional financial support.

First, the call volume for paramedics has significantly increased, putting additional strain on our emergency response system. This year over year surge in demand necessitates a proportional increase in resources to ensure that timely and effective medical assistance is provided to the residents of Toronto.

Moreover, recent developments in medical liability and scope of practice increases have added complexity to the responsibilities of paramedics. Adequate funding is essential to provide ongoing training and support to ensure that our paramedics can meet the evolving demands of their profession.

Furthermore, the public has noticeably shifted towards increased reliance on emergency medical services 

for ongoing health crises; take for example the COVID 19 pandemic, the opiate crisis, and the complex care of elderly residents. This places an additional burden on paramedics, who are already working tirelessly to meet the growing demands of our community. Increased funding is imperative to maintain the high standards of care that Toronto residents deserve.

The current conditions under which paramedics operate are concerning. Many paramedics are risking their health and safety by working extended hours with fewer breaks, irregular sleeping cycles, and often without proper lunch breaks just to keep this fragile system working. There is absolutely zero room for surge capacity when the paramedic service faces a large mass casualty incident. In these cases, the City of Toronto relies on neighboring paramedic services to assist. This situation is unsustainable and jeopardizes the well-being of the public and our dedicated paramedics, who play a crucial role in our city's emergency response system.

It is also worth noting the financial parity issue with neighboring services. Paramedics in Toronto are facing an imbalance in wages compared to their counterparts in neighboring areas who work significantly fewer hours with less call volume. This wage discrepancy is contributing to a higher turnover rate and challenges in retaining experienced paramedics in our city.

In light of these pressing issues, I urge the City Council to allocate additional funding to paramedic services. By doing so, we can ensure the continued effectiveness, safety, and well-being of our paramedics while maintaining the high standards of emergency medical care that our community deserves.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I trust that you will consider this request seriously for the betterment of our city's emergency medical services.

Thank you,

____________