Exhausted EMS Workers Struggle Amid Alberta's Healthcare Crisis
Alberta’s Emergency Medical Services are operating under immense pressure, with professionals consistently enduring grueling shifts and mandatory overtime to maintain critical response capabilities. The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) reported in November 2025 that paramedics across the province are logging over 30,000 hours of overtime monthly this year, accounting for 8 to 12 percent of all hours worked. This reliance on extended shifts is fueling concerns about worker well-being and the sustainability of the healthcare system.
The strain is particularly evident in Calgary, where paramedics in the Calgary Zone averaged 14,161 hours of monthly overtime in the first half of 2025. Adding to the challenge, sick leave hours remain high, with Calgary paramedics averaging 7,883 sick hours per month from March to June 2025. This chronic overextension contributes to critical operational issues, including thousands of "orange alerts" in Calgary where only one to three ambulances are available at a given time. In August 2025 alone, Calgary experienced over 2,800 such alerts.
Hospital offload delays are a significant factor, with 5,382 delays recorded in June 2025 across 21,187 total EMS events, meaning roughly a quarter of all ambulance responses were tied up waiting to transfer patients at emergency departments. The HSAA emphasizes that paramedics are being "pushed to their breaking point," creating a dangerous cycle of burnout and turnover that directly impacts emergency response times for Calgarians.
The Alberta government has acknowledged these systemic concerns, refocusing the healthcare system since November 2023. Alberta’s EMS transitioned to Acute Care Alberta on April 1, 2025, aiming to improve overall care, workforce sustainability, and well-being. An Alberta EMS Standing Committee, launched in April 2024, now includes front-line paramedics and other partners to provide recommendations for workforce and performance standards. Additionally, Budget 2025 allocates an extra $40 million, part of a $60 million three-year investment, towards the EMS Vehicles Capital Program to modernize the fleet. These ongoing efforts are critical for ensuring Calgary residents receive timely and effective emergency medical care.
