By Dave Branco

Union urges public to prepare

Union urges public to prepare as ER closures push paramedics to the limit

Nov 19, 2025 | 2:35 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – As winter nears and British Columbians prepare for severe weather and rising medical demand, paramedics are sounding the alarm. The Ambulance Paramedics of BC say the growing number of ER closures is placing unprecedented strain on the already-stressed ambulance system.

This year, the Ambulance Paramedic Union of British Columbia reported over 250 hospital and emergency room closures across the province, impacting areas from small northern communities to regions near Metro Vancouver.

“Paramedics have been kind of called upon to step up a lot this year and over the last few years. And we’re noticing from our members that the pressures are really starting to build.”

Ian Tait

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The union says most of these shutdowns are temporary and caused by staffing shortages, but each closure leaves residents with fewer options and paramedics carrying a heavier load.

“We’re already overworked in a lot of areas of what we do because of staffing and support. And this is just adding to those pressures.”

Ian Tait

Ambulance Paramedics of BC – CUPE Local 873

MLA Shelon Clare says we have a broken health care system, and people of British Columbia deserve better.

“Ambulance paramedics being actually replacements for emergency rooms. And what has to happen is that there has to be serious efforts to recruit and retain physicians, nurses and other health care professionals. We’ve already seen some successes, but these are driven mainly by local communities”

Sheldon Clare

MLA, Prince George-North Cariboo

Tait says there are times when an ER closes for a night, and that pressure doesn’t disappear it can sometimes land on the backs of our paramedics.

The ambulance union are urging people to be prepared, know their nearest open ER, stay aware of weather conditions, and understand that paramedics are working under pressure as hospitals struggle with staffing shortages.

Email: Dave.Branco@pattisonmedia.com

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