Quebec paramedics remain on strike as negotiations resume next week
More than 3,000 paramedics rejected a tentative deal by overwhelming margins. Three separate unions are set to resume talks with Quebec beginning September 14.
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Quebec's paramedics remain on strike after soundly rejecting a tentative labour agreement, with negotiations set to resume next week.
More than 3,000 paramedics affiliated with three separate unions rejected contract offers in late August. The CSN-affiliated paramedics voted 71.6 per cent against the deal, while the Fraternity of Prehospital Workers rejected the employer's offer by 92 per cent. Montreal and Laval paramedics voted against the tentative agreement reached last month.
The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2023. CSN-affiliated paramedics went on strike in July 2025, initially ceasing various non-essential tasks before escalating pressure tactics in June to include refusal to work overtime in several Quebec regions. Those pressure tactics were suspended when the tentative agreement was reached, but resumed immediately after the vote rejections.
The strikes continue but appear minor to the public because the vast majority of paramedic and ambulance technician tasks are classified as essential services. The Treasury Board confirmed "discussions are continuing at the various negotiating tables."
The Quebec Prehospital Federation, representing more than 2,000 members, is expected to resume discussions with Quebec during the week of September 14. The Fraternity of Prehospital Workers, affiliated with the FTQ, will also resume negotiations on that date.
As previously reported by HighOnCity, paramedics rejected a contract offer on August 20 and pressure tactics resumed immediately. Montreal paramedics were ordered to maintain essential services in June, and Quebec paramedics won contract improvements after a union deal in July.
What salary increase percentage does each of the three paramedic groups demand, and what is the government's current offer?
How have call volumes and response times changed in Quebec during the strike period compared to the same weeks last year?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When do paramedics' union negotiations resume?
Negotiations resume during the week of September 14, 2026, with the Quebec Prehospital Federation and the Fraternity of Prehospital Workers both returning to the table on that date.
By what margins did paramedics reject the tentative deal?
The CSN-affiliated paramedics voted 71.6 per cent against the agreement, while the Fraternity of Prehospital Workers rejected it by 92 per cent.
When did the paramedics' collective agreement expire?
The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2023.
