Montreal and Laval, Quebec – On July 26, 2026, more than 1,000 paramedics employed by the public ambulance service Urgences-santé announced a tentative agreement with the Government of Quebec on a new collective contract. The deal ends a period of negotiations that had lasted for several years without a formal contract in place.
The agreement was reached after extensive talks between the provincial government and the paramedic workforce. Representatives from Urgences-santé and the paramedic unions confirmed that the tentative deal covers all members of the service in the Montreal and Laval regions. While the details of the contract have not been released, the parties indicated that the agreement addresses the core issues that have driven the prolonged negotiations.
Paramedics have been operating without a renewed collective contract for an extended time, relying on previous terms while discussions continued. The lack of a new agreement had raised concerns about working conditions and the stability of emergency medical services across the province. The tentative deal is expected to bring clarity to employment terms and to support the continued delivery of ambulance services to the public.
The Government of Quebec expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the agreement reflects a commitment to maintaining essential health services. Urgences-santé, as the provincial public ambulance operator, highlighted that the settlement will help ensure that paramedics can focus on their critical role in emergency response without the distraction of ongoing contract disputes.
Both sides have indicated that the tentative agreement will be submitted for ratification by the respective parties in the coming weeks. If approved, the contract will become the governing framework for the more than 1,000 paramedics serving the Montreal and Laval areas, providing a renewed foundation for the province's emergency medical system.