The following is a statement from Argyle MLA Colton LeBlanc, who worked as an Advanced Care Paramedic:
Today in the Legislature, NDP Leader Claudia Chender referred to paramedics as “angry ambulance drivers” in reference to when they marched against the NDP government in 2013, because the NDP treated them like ambulance drivers.
Paramedics are far more than drivers. They are often the first on the scene and tasked with performing life-saving measures in the most unfavourable environments.
For the Leader of the Opposition to describe the important contribution of paramedics to being “drivers” is insulting to the important role they have in our healthcare system.
More information on how the government has supported paramedics since 2021:
Our government supports paramedics by negotiating a strong contract that provided a 16.5 per cent classification adjustment for paramedics in the first year alone.
To support our valued paramedics, our government has:
- Provided free tuition to paramedics who agree to work in Nova Scotia for at least four years following graduation
- supported efforts to streamline the licensing process to make it easier and faster for internationally trained paramedics to work in Nova Scotia
- recruited 29 internationally trained paramedics
- created new opportunities for paramedics by launching community paramedicine programs with Eskasoni First Nation and in Antigonish
- opened a new paramedic and provincial logistics station in Dartmouth that will serve as a central supply hub for the emergency health services system and support the emergency preparedness special operation paramedics who respond to wildfires and other serious or complex events
- invested in more interfacility patient transfer resources to keep paramedics ready to respond to calls in their community
- opened a new back-up dispatch centre
- invested in a new and modern computer dispatch system to improve operational efficiency.