NDP Convention "Debate" Alarming

I attended the NDP Convention today as a non party-member observer. Health resolutions were on the agenda for discussion this morning, and I had hoped to see rank and file delegates send a message to their brass about much needed improvements in our EMS system as well as giving them the thumbs up on self-regulation for paramedics. Unfortunately neither occurred...but that's not what alarmed me the most.

The morning began with convention delegates re-prioritizing the resolutions to be presented in the very short one hour and fifteen minutes scheduled for debating health issues. As a result, neither of the resolutions I had hoped might be given consideration even reached the floor for discussion. Surprisingly (to me at least) the one EMS related issue that was discussed...and approved...related to fees for basic ambulance service. Delegates at the convention overwhelmingly supported a resolution stating "that all ambulance calls be paid for by Manitoba Health as an essential service." As I said, I was surprised, but still not alarmed.

Union members of the International Association of Firefighters representing Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson were in attendance at the weekend convention. In discussions with other convention delegates, they expressed concern about many of the EMS related resolutions. And when asked, they clearly indicated that they would be speaking and voting against the resolution supporting paramedic self-regulation. When I heard about their position on this issue, I admit I was somewhat surprised. But I expected that once the attributes of professional self-regulation were fully understood, their position might change. After all, this is about protecting the public's best interests.

What alarmed me most was the "debate" that ensued between myself and many of the IAFF members present. Without doubt there are still many questions that need answering about what self-regulation for paramedics in Manitoba might look like, and all stakeholders deserve to be consulted as that picture unfolds. Educational standards, licensing, scope of practice, ethics, disciplinary process and competency maintenance are all areas that need to be addressed to ensure our patients receive appropriate treatment and protection. As paramedics, these are professional responsibilities we can't take likely, regardless of the type of EMS system we work in.

But at first glance the IAFF seems prepared to ignore these professional responsibilities. Those that were present at the NDP convention seemed more concerned about having to pay a fee for licensing. Union executive clearly articulated the need to protect their members outweighed any responsibility to protecting the public. There was even the suggestion that a Government regulator might be "better for their members" than a peer driven professional regulatory body.

I appreciate the fact that unions have an obligation to protect their membership in areas related to labour relations. But as paramedics and health professionals, we have a responsibility to protect those we treat and care for each and every day. That responsibility should be first and foremost for all paramedics, regardless of where they work or the union they belong to. To think that may not always be the case...that alarms me.