Staff shortages for paramedics and ambulance dispatchers are at unprecedented levels and are impacting services across the province, the union that represents ambulance paramedics in B.C. This represents 30 to 49 per cent of total paramedic units available in those areas. Union president Cameron Eby says if 40 paramedic units are out of service that means 40 ambulances are not available to people in need. A survey by the Mental Health Commission of Canada found that 81 per cent of paramedics and dispatchers in B.C. The BC Emergency Health Services said in a statement it knows paramedics are responding to more calls than ever before because of the province's aging population and the overdose crisis.

Source: CBC News March 20, 2019 15:36 UTC