I have worked for 23 years as a Paramedic in Ontario. In September, 2005 I received the Governor General’s Award for Exemplary Service. I am 44 years old. I have three daughters and four grandchildren. I exercise, eat healthy and am cautious in regards to the safety of others and myself.

Most importantly I know how to treat a sick and injured person. I have years of education and daily I review my protocols to insure my Employer and My Patients receive the best care possible and can be confident in my occupation. I am a Member of a Profession that daily takes the responsibility of being the lifeline for a community that expects the best medical care that can be “Provided”. We offer each patient “Protection” and “Prevention”. We are just like the Police Officers and Firefighters that “Protect and Prevent and Provide”.

It seems such a contradiction that the Liberal Federal Government gave Paramedics the Public Safety Occupation Designation but the Provincial Liberal Government won’t. Please offer my family and me the same distinction as our fellow emergency service providers do in regards to early retirement and the benefits they and their families receive because of it.

Let the Paramedics retire with the opportunity to be able to still carry our grandchildren and take them for walks and enjoy the day in our golden years without the fear of pain and injury and without putting our community at risk because I can’t effectively perform my job but am forced to because I can’t retire at age 60 like a Police Officer or Firefighter.

I challenge Dalton McGuinty and the supporters of Bill 206 to lift a stretcher with a 250 lb. patient, while carrying 75 lbs. of equipment and do it in a prescribed amount of time. Mr. McGuinty needs to review the science of aging and its effects on the body. Review the ergonomics of repetitive movement on the body. Review the legislation put forth by the Federal Liberal Government with whom he shares a political identity.

Remember when you are watching the news and see Firefighters and Police at the scene of an accident YOUR Paramedics are there also, working with those “Essential Ontario Workers” as their EQUALS. Please give us the distinction and DO NOT PASS BILL 206 unless it places YOUR ONTARIO PARAMEDICS at PARITY with ALL ONTARIO EMERGENCY SERVICE PROVIDERS.

My children Larissa, Heidi, Alysha, their husbands and my Grandchildren Breanne, Kashus, Keaton and Kameron thank you for your time and consideration. Please think about this letter in 20 years when I’m 64 years old. Until then I will continue to exercise, eat healthy, review my medical protocols and serve Ontario residents with the same pride and care I have in the past 23 years.

Shelley Buffitt Dufferin County Paramedic