File photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

Agreement in Principle

BC Ambulance Paramedics reached agreement in principle to avoid potential strike

Feb 20, 2026 | 4:12 PM

KAMLOOPS — Earlier this week, the Ambulance Paramedic of British Columbia announced membership voted overwhelmingly in favour of potential strike action as negotiations with the provincial government had stalled.

Ambulance Paramedics and Dispatchers will not be striking, as the union has come to an agreement in principle with the province on a number of sticking points.

“It is signed currently and while there are a few signatures and a few minor things to work out, I know our negotiation team in conjunction with our president and some of our executive members were confident enough with the other side of the table to release this today, that they do have an agreement in principle signed and ready to move forward,” said Ian Tait, communications spokesperson with the Ambulance Paramedics of B.C., CUPE 873.

The union had been fighting to ensure the new contract included language around mental health and addressed burnout among paramedics. 

Week In Review

Week in Review: Week of February 16

10h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: The NDP is kind of a wolf in sheep's clothing

17h ago

Two & Out

PETERS: Where has the money gone?

Feb 20, 2026

“We considered mental health and wellness supports a vital part of this contract and moving forward, and I’m happy to report that we were able to agree to a lot of those terms including the mental health and wellness supports,” added Tait. 

The union now plans to travel the province, meeting in-person and virtually with membership to explain the agreement.

“We want to kind of dig into the entire agreement, all the little processes that are involved and just answer any questions that our members might have, so we can just openly disclose everything that the agreement will have in it,” said Tait. “There are four or five big ticket items, and then is a dozen other smaller ones that appeal to different groups. We just want to make sure the membership see absolutely everything and we can respond to any questions that they might have.”

Tait hopes to have the process wrapped up within the next couple of weeks.