Paramedic Pension Plan

In light of the new proposed changes to the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) proposed by the LAPP board of directors to the Provincial Government, it is time to once again visit the very real possibility for our own Paramedic Pension Plan. The changes being proposed not only affect LAPP, but PSPP and MEPP. The Special Forces Pension Plan (SFPP) will not have the same changes. A Paramedic Pension Plan  would allow Paramedics, all those registered with the Alberta Collage of Paramedics, delivering Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to retire early with a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, provided they are part of the Plan.

As some know, the attempt for a Supplemental Pension Plan (SPP) failed registration recently. This failure was not due to the work completed and submitted by those steering the SPP for Paramedics or the Alberta Government, but for other reasons.

In 2005, the Federal Government of Canada passed a Bill proclaiming the Paramedics fall within the definition of “Public Safety Occupation” thus allowing Paramedics to retire under different rules within the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA).

Excerpts from the paper prepared by the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC) and the Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. in 2003 cite:

It appears from the legislative history, the Bill C-52 explanatory notes, as well as committee and legislative debates, that the primary intent of the "public safety occupation" exemption related to a recognition that individuals in the prescribed occupations shared a unique characteristic - their continued employment beyond ascertain age would put the public at risk. However, notwithstanding these concerns regarding the "public's" safety, these individuals faced an economic disincentive from retiring at an earlier age. These provisions eliminated the disincentive for these professions to retire early, for the sake of the public safety.

What makes the occupational profile of the Paramedics more akin to Police Officers, Firefighters, than to nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals is:

· The interaction of job related stresses, both physical and mental associated with the delivery of health care, typically in emergency situations, and

· The unregulated, unpredictable, and often hazardous environmental conditions under which Paramedics are required to deliver their services to the public.

The Provincial Government of Alberta is now open for dialogue around pension plans. Please print and sign your name with your Alberta Collage of Paramedics registration number if this interests you.

Thank you.