More than 1,000 paramedics employed by the public ambulance service Urgences‑santé announced on July 26, 2026 that they have reached a tentative collective‑contract agreement with the Quebec provincial government. The deal marks the first formal accord after several years of operating without a contract, and it covers paramedics working in both Montreal and Laval.
The agreement was secured after a period of negotiations that began when the absence of a collective agreement became a pressing issue for the workforce. Paramedics had continued to provide emergency medical services throughout the province despite the lack of a formal contract, prompting the provincial authorities to engage in talks aimed at resolving the situation.
Representatives from Urgences‑santé and officials from the Quebec government participated in the discussions that led to the tentative deal. While the specific terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, the parties indicated that the arrangement will address the concerns that have persisted during the years without a contract and will set the framework for future labour relations.
The tentative nature of the agreement means that it will still require ratification by the paramedics’ union before becoming fully effective. If approved, the contract will provide a renewed legal basis for the more than 1,000 emergency responders who serve the Montreal and Laval regions, ending a prolonged period of uncertainty for the workforce and the communities that depend on their services.