The province has taken notice as some municipalities
complain about being squeezed for more ambulances
and paramedics.
The Ontario government is making it easier for students
who want to become badly-needed paramedics.
The province is adding more than 300 spaces in
paramedic programs in Ontario colleges this year,
according to Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Christine
Hogarth.
An expanded Ontario Learn and Stay Grant will provide
students studying in the first year of a paramedic
program in 2023-2024 at select post secondary
institutions with funding for free tuition, books,
compulsory fees and other direct educational costs.
After graduating, students will need to work in the same
region they studied for a minimum of six months for
every full year of study funded by the grant.

“There is a significant demand for paramedics in
communities across the province,” said Sylvia Jones,
Deputy Premier and Minister of
Health. “In partnership with the
Ontario Association of Paramedic
Chiefs, we are strengthening
Ontario’s paramedic workforce
for years to come.”
She said more student spaces in
primary care paramedic programs
at Ontario colleges will make it
easier for future paramedics to
access education and training
closer to home.
“Expanding the pipeline of talent
for the future will also help
bolster the paramedic workforce
and make sure emergency
services are available to respond to emergencies,“
according to a release.

The province is also giving paramedics the flexibility to
treat additional 9-1-1 patients – including those with
diabetes and epilepsy – at home, on scene, or in
appropriate community-based settings instead of in
emergency departments.
“These new spots will play a critical role in addressing
the current shortage of paramedics by preparing more
highly-skilled health care professionals to enter the
workforce and provide the excellent care Ontarians
deserve,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and
Universities. “
“This is an incredibly important investment in the
paramedic programs at Ontario’s public colleges,“ said
Marketa Evans, president and CEO, Colleges Ontario.
“It will bolster Ontario’s health-care workforce and
improve the delivery of emergency services throughout
the province.“
“The province is making it easier for people and
their families to connect to the care they need,“
Hogarth added. “By helping those who want to
train and work in Ontario and hiring more health
care workers to help communities build up their
own health workforces.”
Funding from the 2023
Ontario Budget
Dedicated Offload
Nurses Program
(DONP) increased by
$51 million over three
years to support
municipalities in
reducing ambulance
offload delays,
providing funding for dedicated nurses to offload
patients in hospital emergency rooms.
Colleges offering the paramedic program are Algonquin
College, Cambrian College, Centennial College, Collège
Boréal, Collège La Cité, Conestoga College,
Confederation College, Durham College, Fanshawe
College, Georgian College, Lambton College, Northern
College, St. Clair College and St. Lawrence College.