November 25, 2020
The Honourable Monty McNaughton
Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development
14th floor, 400 University Avenue
Toronto, ON M7A 1T7
Dear Minister McNaughton,
SEIU Healthcare, Canada’s healthcare union representing over 60,000 healthcare professionals, stands with all unions that represent paramedics in support of the recommendation of the EMS Section 21 subcommittee to establish itself as a separate, stand-alone committee.
By changing the status of the committee, it will allow unions to communicate and inform the Ministry of Labour and the Paramedics of Ontario faster and efficiently with fewer restrictions. If this recommendation is applied, it will have equal standing to Police Services Section 21 and the Fire Services Section 21, both under the Ministry of Labour.
As a standalone committee, unions will be able to better support our paramedics and advise in creating Guidance Notes on the application of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and its regulations to paramedical services including dispatchers, supervisors and applicable support staff.
We encourage you to reach out to us if you would like to discuss this matter further. Paramedics play a vital role in our healthcare system. We urge you to act swiftly to implement this recommendation.
Sincerely,
Sharleen Stewart
President, SEIU Healthcare