News Releases    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2003

Owen Sound paramedics to host town hall meeting on "firemedics" proposal

OWEN SOUND - The union representing Grey County and Owen Sound’s paramedics will host a Town Hall meeting next week so voters can make an informed decision on the plan to merge fire and paramedical services.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is hosting the open forum. Local paramedics (Local 250) have been fighting the so-called “firemedic” model through the Labour Board and the courts for more than two years.

“We’ve invited experts who have done a good deal of research on this issue,” said OPSEU campaign coordinator Paul Johnstone. “We’ve also called on all the candidates for City and County office to attend and debate the issues in front of the citizens.”

“Our trained and experienced paramedics know seconds count when they are saving a life. They are the experts in their profession,” said Johnstone. “We want the public to know that the firemedic model has been a failure everywhere it has been tried. We also want them to know whether candidates support or oppose the plan.”

Date: October 21, 2003
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound

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For further information:

Paul Johnstone, OPSEU Owen Sound Office 519-371-3428