‘A wake-up call’: Nearly half of Montreal paramedics considering leaving their job, survey finds

About 44 per cent of paramedics say they are either planning to change their profession or retire in the next five years, according to a survey by the paramedics’ union.

Only about 17 per cent of the survey respondents said they will continue working as paramedics.

The union representing more than 950 Urgences-santé paramedics, who have been on strike since July 2025, also said that its members hadn’t received a raise since 2022.

“This should be a wake-up call. It must be taken seriously,” said Claude Lamarche, president of the Syndicat du préhospitalier–CSN, in a press release Friday, announcing the study.

“They experience high levels of job-related stress, overwork and physical and psychological risks,” Lamarche added. “When they compare their pay and working conditions to those offered elsewhere, the pre-hospital sector is really not competitive.”

Only 30 of the 279 survey respondents said they were satisfied with the job conditions and salary levels. About one-quarter said they intended to return to school.

“Unless the government changes course now, all Montréal-area residents will end up paying the price for the CAQ’s poor choices,” said Bertrand Guibord, president of the Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain (CCMM–CSN). 

“Making sure there are always paramedics ready to respond to an emergency should be at the top of the government’s agenda,” Bertrand added.

Paramedics have been on strike while maintaining essential services since last July, after negotiations failed to renew their collective agreement which expired nearly three years ago.