Toronto EMS hold rally at City Hall to become essential service Special

Toronto - This morning at outside of City Hall EMS workers and support staff held a rally to raise awareness for the need that the service be deemed a essential service in Toronto.

In all other cities in Ontario paramedics and EMS workers are considered to be an essential part of their city's services. That is not the case in Toronto. In Toronto the police and firefighters are considered essential services but despite being front line responders the city's paramedics have not been given that title. Already understaffed the city's EMS services could be reduced by 15 percent this year if labour talks do not result in a positive outcome. If this were to happen the residents of Toronto could face life and death situations with a longer wait time. Not only would the city's medical safety be in jeopardy but the ambulances could be struggling. As it stands the support workers of the Toronto EMS, which includes the mechanics that keep the ambulances safe and on the road, would be locked out if a labour dispute comes into play. Toronto's executive committee will decide later today if the city's award winning EMS will be on the list of essential services.