A Colleges of Paramedics is not meant to benefit paramedics, but download cost and responsibility onto them.
There's recently been a renewed push to form a regulatory college of paramedics here in Ontario. Particularly by certain groups like municipalities and paramedic chiefs.
I think it'd be wise for all to understand that a college is not there to benefit the paramedic, but to protect the patient. All the potential benefits people espouse are merely second fiddle to that primary goal.
Everyone should also be asking, why are these groups pushing so hard for the college? What's in it for them? Well, the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus said the quiet part out loud in their 2026 Advocacy Package Report.
"Government cost and liability savings: Municipalities as paramedic employers have the potential to save money through reduced malpractice and liability insurance requirements, changes to how education and continuing education are funded, and increased individual professional accountability for continuing education. Municipal employers currently bear significant liability; a college model would shift professional responsibility to individual paramedics, similar to nurses and other health care professionals."
A college would cost the individual medic hundreds, possibly even thousands, of dollars per year in increased costs. Plus the possibility of losing their license if they can't qualify for insurance. Many services are already struggling with lagging wages and benefits, so I imagine this is the last thing that would help. Especially in an era of rising inflation.
For those of you that hear your colleagues singing the praises of a college, make sure they're informed of this and fully aware of what they're getting themselves into.