Paramedic unions fear their negotiations could be pushed back until after Quebec’s election, given the lack of progress at the bargaining tables. For the Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux (FSSS), affiliated with the CSN, the collective agreement has been expired for three and a half years, since March 31, 2023. It is the largest group of paramedic unions, representing about 3,500 members. There was a meeting with Quebec on Tuesday, but the FSSS came away disappointed, even saying the government is moving backward in its position. In August, FSSS members rejected the tentative agreement reached to renew their collective agreements, with 71.6 per cent voting against it. Negotiations have since resumed, but little progress has been made, according to the FSSS and two other major paramedic union groups: the Fédération du préhospitalier du Québec, which is independent of the labour centrals, and the Fraternité des travailleurs du préhospitalier, affiliated with the FTQ. Quebec, for its part, says its negotiating team has all the necessary mandates in hand to negotiate. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Sept. 23, 2026.
