February 18, 2026
RED FM News Desk
The union representing more than 6,000 ambulance paramedics and emergency dispatchers in British Columbia has announced that its members have voted “overwhelmingly” in favor of a strike. According to Ambulance Paramedics of BC-CUPE 733, the results of a vote held earlier this month show that 97 per cent of the membership supports taking job action.
While a formal strike has not yet been declared, the union is expected to provide a significant update on the status of negotiations with the provincial government on Thursday afternoon. Union President Jason Jackson stated that the government’s current offer remains insufficient to meet the needs of members, their families, or the requirements for mental health and safety supports.
The union issued a stern warning that the province’s ambulance service is already grappling with a severe staffing crisis. Paramedics are currently being deployed across the province to fill long-term service gaps, a problem that is particularly acute in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities where personnel shortages have become a critical issue.
Communications Director Ian Tait expressed the frustration and sadness felt by the frontline workers, noting that a strike was not their desired outcome. “We know the realities of a strike,” Tait said, adding that the team is already struggling to keep ambulances staffed and did not want to be pushed into this position.
Because paramedics are considered an essential service in British Columbia, any potential strike action would likely be phased or limited. This ensures that essential emergency responses continue and that public safety is not placed at significant risk during the labor dispute.
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