BY AMAN SINGH
NDP MLA for Richmond Queensborough

I’VE heard people say they want to see an improvement in ambulance and paramedic services in British Columbia, and that’s why our NDP government is taking action to improve these key services.
Our NDP government understands the critical role that ambulance and paramedic services play in our healthcare system. These services are often the first point of contact for individuals facing medical emergencies, and their efficiency and effectiveness can significantly impact patient outcomes.
We’re aware of the challenges that these services have been facing, including increased demand, staffing shortages, and long wait times. We’re actively taking action on these issues. Our government’s approach involves a comprehensive review of the current system, identifying areas of improvement, and implementing changes to enhance service delivery.
One of our key focus areas is increasing the number of paramedics and ambulance dispatchers.
Since 2021, we have added more than 1,500 new permanent full-time paramedic and emergency medical responder positions, as well as 42 emergency medical dispatch positions to the BC Emergency Health Services. Budget 2023 provided $130 million over three years to support an increase to the on-call rate for paramedics that will expand ambulance coverage throughout the province.
When we inherited the BC Emergency Health Services from the former Liberal government, only approximately one-third of paramedics were permanent. The rest were casual employees. Today, approximately two-thirds of paramedics are permanent employees.
We’re also investing in education and training programs to ensure a steady supply of skilled professionals in this field. This includes continuing our national recruitment campaign to bring qualified paramedics and dispatch staff to B.C. to help fill remaining vacancies and to build capacity for the future.
In addition, we’re working on optimizing ambulance deployment strategies to ensure that ambulances are available where and when they are needed the most. That means using data-driven methods to identify high-demand areas and times and adjusting ambulance schedules and routes accordingly.
Our government is also investing in new technologies to enhance communication and coordination among different parts of the emergency response system. This includes upgrading dispatch systems, implementing advanced GPS tracking for ambulances, and using telemedicine technologies to provide remote support to paramedics in the field.
While some of these changes take time to implement, we’re committed to making continuous improvements to ensure that our ambulance and paramedic services are able to meet the needs of our communities. We believe that these efforts will result in shorter response times, better patient care, and ultimately, save more lives.
I want to assure you that the BC NDP government is fully committed to providing high-quality healthcare services to all residents of British Columbia. We will continue to listen to your concerns, learn from your experiences, and work tirelessly to make our healthcare system better for everyone.