Guelph-Wellington paramedics seek higher pay as contract talks stall

GUELPH – Guelph-Wellington paramedics have been without a contract since March, frozen at wages set over a year ago.

Grant Miller, an advanced care paramedic and president of Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 231 told the Advertiser local medics are falling behind on wages, compared to city emergency workers and neighbouring emergency medical services.

“We’re trying to equate ourselves to at least that level so that we can stay competitive, and we’re not losing good talent to neighbouring services,” said Miller, who has been with Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service for 17 years.

The union has also proposed retention pay at specific service-year thresholds to increase wages over time, rather than all at once.

Police and firefighters in Guelph receive retention pay while paramedics do not, Miller said, adding the union’s proposal is cheaper than closing the wage gap outright.

But talks with the city have collapsed, and the two sides are set to meet with a provincially appointed conciliator next month to try and break the bargaining deadlock.

Guelph operates the service and employs 207 paramedics serving Guelph and Wellington County.

The province covers roughly half of the paramedic budget, with the remainder split by the city and county.

Miller said the union’s financial proposal fits within the city’s already-posted budget for the service, and said the union submitted data sheets to support its asks.

“They were unable to refute why we were so far off centre,” he said. “We felt our time was being wasted.”

Guelph deputy CAO Stephen O’Brien told the Advertiser in an email the city aims to invest in the paramedic service to “ensure that wages remain competitive, and that we achieve positive outcomes for both staff and the community today and in the future.”

“Guelph-Wellington paramedics are an important service for our community.
“They are on the frontlines, day in and day out, providing exceptional service to those in their time of need.”

He added, “The city remains committed to reaching an agreement that is fair, balanced and affordable for taxpayers.”

O’Brien did not answer a list of questions from the Advertiser and declined to comment further, citing a confidential bargaining process.

Frozen since April 2025, the maximum Guelph-Wellington paramedic base wages include $45.53 per hour for primary care paramedics, $46.21 for primary care paramedics who can start intravenous lines and $50.99 for advanced care paramedics.

According to figures provided by the union, Guelph police officers make almost $59 per hour and firefighters just over $55.

At a neighbouring municipality, paramedic pay also runs higher. A recent Region of Waterloo job posting lists a primary care paramedic salary range of $47.64 to $50.63 per hour – a starting rate about 4.6% above Guelph-Wellington’s top rate.

Miller said pay disparity is pushing staff to consider employment elsewhere, and reducing the service’s appeal to new hires.

Every bargaining round the service falls further behind, he said.

“We have to ask for a big amount in order just to catch up. We’re not asking to surpass ... we just want to be competitive, that’s all we want,” Miller said.

And without strike leverage – the collective agreement between the union and the city contains a no-strike clause – paramedics are left to bank on good faith, and potentially arbitration.

“We have to continue to do our job because it’s what’s best for the public and for the citizens of our region,” Miller said.

Failing conciliation, the union’s only remaining option is binding arbitration, which Miller said can take a year or more to produce a decision.

The union, city and the provincial conciliator are expected to meet the first week of August to try and find a middle ground, according to Miller, who said he’s “cautiously optimistic.”

“We’re essential enough that everybody wants us around when they need us, but according to the city, we’re not essential enough to be retained.