Montreal — Unions representing Quebec paramedics say they have reached an agreement in principle with the provincial government, bringing a tentative end to a labour dispute that has left emergency medical responders without a collective agreement since April 2023.
What was announced
The Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux (FSSS‑CSN), which represents some 3,500 paramedics in the province — including more than 1,000 at Urgences‑santé — announced late Saturday that negotiators had reached a deal after an intensive round of discussions from July 20 to 25. The federation said the agreement will be submitted to members for ratification.
Union leaders emphasised that details of the tentative contract will remain confidential until paramedics have had the opportunity to review and vote on it. Pending that ratification vote, most pressure tactics have been suspended, with the notable exception of uniform‑related actions.
“They are the ones who will have the final say on its adoption,”
The comment above, attributed to Jean Gagnon, head of the pre‑hospital sector at the FSSS‑CSN, underscores that the agreement is still subject to member approval.
Government confirmation
Quebec’s Treasury Board minister, France‑Élaine Duranceau, also posted confirmation of a tentative agreement on the social media platform X. In keeping with standard practice for labour negotiations, she said the specific terms would remain confidential until membership ratification.
Background and public impact
Paramedics across Quebec have been working without a new collective agreement since April 2023. The dispute escalated into strike activity beginning in July 2025, centred mainly on pay and working conditions. The prolonged negotiations and job actions have had implications for pre‑hospital care and for municipal partners that rely on ambulance services.
While the FSSS‑CSN represents a portion of the province’s paramedic workforce, the outcome of this agreement will be closely watched by other bargaining units and by health administrators who must maintain emergency response capacity during labour disruptions.
Next steps for members and services
Union members will be briefed on the full contents of the proposed agreement and given the opportunity to vote. Only after a successful ratification vote will full details be released publicly. Until then, most forms of protest are on hold to allow members to consider the deal.
- Who is affected: FSSS‑CSN members, about 3,500 paramedics in Quebec.
- Immediate effect: Suspension of most pressure tactics pending a ratification vote.
- Remaining actions: Uniform‑related measures continue for now.
Timeline of the dispute
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2023 | Paramedics' previous collective agreement expired |
| July 2025 | Strike action began in parts of the province |
| July 20–25, 2026 | Intensive round of negotiations |
| Late July 25, 2026 | Tentative agreement reached; announced July 26, 2026 |
Why this matters to Quebecers
Paramedics are a front‑line part of the province’s health system. Extended labour disputes can complicate ambulance availability, response times and coordination with hospitals and municipal emergency services. A negotiated settlement, if ratified, could stabilise pre‑hospital services and restore normal union‑management relations.
For now, the outcome rests with union members. If they approve the agreement, the government and FSSS‑CSN will disclose the specifics. If they reject it, bargaining may resume and pressure measures could be revived.
This developing story will affect emergency medical coverage across Quebec and will be followed closely by health authorities, municipal officials and the public.
