Paramedics Across Canada Face Increasing Threats of Violence, New Study Aims to Expose the Crisis
A worrying trend of violence against paramedics is gaining attention as researchers prepare for the first national study to document experiences of aggression on the job.
For 23 years, Kelly Edwards has found fulfillment working as a paramedic, cherishing the unpredictability and the good people she encounters. Yet, she cannot ignore the dark realities embedded within her profession. Edwards recalls one incident vividly: as she and her partner treated an agitated patient, the individual hurled furniture at her partner, breaking his arm. “That was super uncomfortable, unacceptable,” she reflected, acknowledging the distressing nature of her work. Throughout her career, both men and women paramedics like Edwards have endured physical assaults, verbal abuse, and sexual harassment. “I’ve heard lots of threats of being sexually assaulted and descriptions on how they do it,” she noted, discomfort evident as she recalled her career experiences.
Mathieu Roy, another veteran with over 22 years of experience, similarly highlighted the grim nature of their jobs. “Being told, ‘I will kill your family’ when I meet patients is something I’ve heard more than once,” he said, reinforcing the perilous atmosphere paramedics frequently encounter. Marc-André Périard, vice-president for the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada, noted such experiences are alarmingly common. “A lot of the public aren't aware this occurs frequently, thinking it's just anomalies,” he observed.
Despite numerous testimonies, gaps remain within the data reflecting violence against paramedics, as there is currently no standardized complaint system for the profession. Edwards and Roy candidly acknowledge the personal toll of their encounters—experiencing considerable emotional and physical risks with each call.
Périard lamented how reports of violence appear to worsen without adequate data substantiations. “We don’t have the detail we need to understand the scope of the issue,” he declared, emphasizing the necessity of addressing this significant oversight. Renée MacPhee, a Wilfrid Laurier University associate professor specializing in paramedic research for over 30 years, affirmed the widespread prevalence of abuse faced by frontline workers, adding the issue often goes misrepresented.
While related research often heavily references studies conducted outside Canada, only select areas, such as Saskatchewan and Ontario, have begun to collect their own metrics. MacPhee noted, “We don’t know how big the problem is.” She pointed to 2018 research by the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment, which found paramedics to have the highest likelihood of developing suicidal behaviors among nearly 6,000 public safety personnel surveyed.
To tackle the pressing issue, the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC) announced plans for the first national survey aimed at establishing concrete data on violence faced by paramedics. Set to be launched early next year with funding from Defence Research and Development Canada, the survey will gather responses from paramedics nationwide.
This unprecedented initiative hopes to shed light on the full extent of violence and its repercussions on mental health and professional practices. “I think we’re going to be quite unpleasantly surprised with the amount of violence actually happening,” MacPhee remarked, underlining the public’s limited awareness of the severity of these issues. Over the course of six weeks, researchers plan to engage as many paramedics as possible concerning their personal encounters with violence, the training received for self-defence, and the emotional impact these events have on them.
Edwards reflected on her experiences, stating, “It’s definitely changed me. It makes me less trusting of people.” Her sentiments showcase the shifting perspective many paramedics adopt after confronting repeated violence on the job.
Both Périard and MacPhee hope this research will lead to effective changes aimed at improving paramedic safety. They argue for stronger advocacy to reflect the harsh realities faced by individuals dedicated to healthcare and public service. “These people dedicate their lives to caring for every Canadian. To see them victimized as part of their job is heartbreaking,” MacPhee lamented.
LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS ADDRESSED: Increasing awareness has translated to legislative action, particularly with the push for Bill C-321. This bill seeks to amend Canada’s Criminal Code to introduce harsher penalties for assaults against health-care workers and first responders. While this legislation passed third reading in the House of Commons back in February, momentum has stalled. A recent report from Standing Senate Committee chair Brent Cotter acknowledged the worrisome spike in violence against first responders. Yet he also cautioned, “This bill aims to increase penalties without addressing the underlying systemic and societal issues contributing to the rise of assaults.”
The upcoming survey has the potential to capture the enormity of this violence and could serve as the catalyst for both social and legal change. Meanwhile, it's hoped the discussions around Bill C-321 will eventually lead to substantial action binding the fate of hundreds of paramedics across the country, ensuring they can perform their duties without facing undue threats to their safety.
The findings expected from this study may not just enlighten public perception but also advocate for long-overdue protections for these frontline warriors who risk their lives every day. If there’s one takeaway, it’s the realization of the urgent need not only for change but also for recognition of these unsung heroes.
