Ambulance Paramedics Of BC

Today, we recognize and honour National Indigenous Peoples Day and the cultures, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada.

Many Indigenous members continue to play an important role within emergency services and healthcare throughout British Columbia, providing care, leadership, and support in communities across the province.

At APBC, we remain committed to respect, partnership, and the ongoing journey toward meaningful reconciliation.

Today and every day, we celebrate Indigenous peoples and communities across Canada.

Today, we recognize the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and father figures within our profession and communities.

For many paramedics and dispatchers, balancing family life with the demands of emergency services is no easy task. Long shifts, missed holidays, sleepless nights, and time away from loved ones are all part of the job — but so is the commitment to serving others when they need help most.

To all of the dads across APBC and BCEHS: thank you for the sacrifices you make both at work and at home. Your compassion, strength, and dedication help shape not only this profession, but the families and communities around you.

From all of us at APBC, Happy Father’s Day.

2026 AWARD RECIPIENTS ARE OUT NOW! Congratulations to all the worthy winners!

2026 Paramedic Association of Canada Awards of Excellence Recipients

The Paramedic Association of Canada is pleased to announce the recipients of the Paramedic Association of Canada Awards of Excellence for 2026. These awards will be presented in Victoria, BC during the Paramedics Across Canada Expo (PACE) Gala, on Sept 19th, 2026. We congratulate the following recipients and recognize their outstanding contributions to the Paramedic profession, the patients and communities they serve:

Nikki Little, BHSc, ACP – Winnipeg, Manitoba
2026 PAC Paramedic of the Year

Nikki is a Paramedic with over 30 years of service. Throughout her career with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, her commitment to patient safety and quality improvement expressed themselves in her continuing work to improve equity in frontline paramedic care. Her leadership was essential in shifting toward a systems-based approach patient safety and away from traditional responses to medical error. Today, Nikki continues to serve the paramedic profession as the Deputy Registrar of the College of Paramedics of Manitoba.

Michael Thomas, ACP - Whitby, Ontario
2026 PAC Award of Excellence for Education and Training

Michael is a highly respected Professor and Program Coordinator at Centennial College’s Paramedic Program, has dedicated nearly 20 years to shaping the future of paramedicine in Ontario. He is a representative on the Ontario Base Hospital Group Medical Advisory Committee. Michael has reviewed paramedic textbooks for publication as Canadian editions, and was involved in the development of the National Occupational Standard for Paramedics. His participation in all aspects of paramedicine ensures that paramedics’ voices are heard at the highest levels of clinical governance.

Will Johnston, MSc, BA, ACP – Ottawa, Ontario.
2026 PAC Award of Excellence for Innovation and Research

Will is an advanced care paramedic with the Paramedic Tactical Unit at the Ottawa Paramedic Service and a paramedic with the Canadian Armed Forces, Health Services Reserves (28 Field Ambulance). Will is an educator and researcher, with a particular interest in prehospital tactical medicine. He led the development of the National Competency Framework for Tactical Paramedics (NCFTP) and is an advocate for specialist paramedic roles. Will has collaborated on numerous publications and presentations that have advanced paramedicine in Canada.


Tara Watson - Woodstock, New Brunswick
2026 PAC Award of Excellence for Leadership and Community Building

Tara has been a paramedic for over 30 years. Working with Ambulance New Brunswick for 18 years where she is currently an Operations Manager. She has long been an advocate and leader for the Paramedic profession in Canada. Tara was Secretary-Treasurer for the Paramedic Association of Canada during its foundational years. She was an active member of Paramedic Association of New Brunswick including roles as Secretary, VP and then President. Tara was an early member of the Paramedic Benevolent Society and a founding member of the Canadian Paramedic Memorial Foundation where she remains the on the Executive Board as Secretary. Tara is known for always moving organizations forward and supporting her paramedic colleagues, quietly and professionally.

Lyle Renaud, ACP – St Catherines, Ontario
2026 PAC Award of Excellence for Volunteerism and Community Spirit

Lyle is an Advanced Care Paramedic and Operations Superintendent with Niagara EMS, a dedicated mental health advocate, and a long-standing member of the peer support team. Drawing on lived experience, he provides face-to-face peer support interventions and timely post-incident debriefs that promote trust, psychological safety, workplace cohesion, and the destigmatization of occupational stress injuries. He works to strengthen collaboration between leadership and frontline staff, fostering a more cohesive and supportive workplace. Within his community, Lyle continues his advocacy through an organization that supports veterans and first responders learning to live with post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI).

About PAC

The Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC) is the voluntary professional organization of paramedicine practitioners across the country. The PAC has a voluntary membership of over 20,000 paramedic members, each belonging to a provincial chapter and/or the Canadian Armed Forces. The Vision of the Paramedic Association of Canada is to have Paramedicine recognized in primary health care. The Mission of the Paramedic Association of Canada is to provide quality care for the public through leadership in the advancement of the profession of paramedicine. The association will also promote collegiality and advocate for the professional interests of paramedic practitioners across the spectrum of policy areas and practices.

PAC Website: https://www.paramedic.ca/

PACE 2026 Website: https://pac-expo.ca/

Planning is well underway for UBCM 2026 in Vancouver this September, and APBC is proud to be returning with our team of frontline paramedics. Whether your community is facing challenges with ambulance response, rural healthcare, recruitment, or access to emergency services, we'd love to connect. Stop by our booth to learn how we can work together to build stronger emergency healthcare systems for every British Columbian. Message us today at [email protected] to book a meeting!

Registration for PACE 2026 is now open!

Join us in Victoria this September for four incredible days of education, innovation, networking, and professional development with paramedics, healthcare professionals, public safety partners, industry leaders, and exhibitors from across Canada.

Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, discover the latest technology, reconnect with colleagues, or build new relationships, PACE 2026 is an event you won't want to miss.

Visit pac-expo.ca to register today. We can't wait to welcome you!

🚨 Vendor Opportunities Available at PACE 2026! 🚨

Are you looking to showcase your products, services, or innovations to one of Canada's largest gatherings of paramedics and EMS professionals?

PACE 2026 is your opportunity to connect directly with frontline paramedics, leaders, educators, managers, decision makers, students, and healthcare partners from across the country.

📍 Victoria Convention Centre
📅 September 16-19, 2026

Our industry tradeshow is a key part of the conference, giving vendors the chance to:

✅ Demonstrate new products and technology
✅ Build relationships with EMS professionals from coast to coast
✅ Increase brand awareness within the Canadian paramedic community
✅ Generate new business opportunities and valuable industry connections

Whether your organization specializes in medical equipment, simulation, education, software, wellness, uniforms, vehicles, communications, recruitment, or healthcare services, we'd love to have you join us.

Space is limited, so reserve your booth early.

📧 For exhibitor information or to secure your space, contact us at [email protected]

Help us showcase the future of Canadian paramedicine at PACE 2026!

🚑 Registration is NOW OPEN for PACE 2026! Visit pac-expo.ca!

Join paramedics, dispatchers, educators, students, leaders, and industry partners from across Canada for four incredible days of education, networking, innovation, and professional development.

📍 Victoria Convention Centre
📅 September 16-19, 2026

Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, earn 6 EMALB credits per day, discover the latest equipment and technology, hear from inspiring keynote speakers, or reconnect with colleagues from across the country, PACE 2026 is the place to be.

🎟 Early Bird Registration is available now! Save by registering before June 30.

We're also still welcoming vendors and volunteers. If you're interested in showcasing your products, supporting the conference, or getting involved behind the scenes, we'd love to hear from you.

Together, let's celebrate our profession, share ideas, and help shape the future of paramedicine in Canada.

📧 Register or learn more: [email protected]

PACE 2026 is coming to Victoria, BC, September 16-19, and planning is well underway!

We're currently looking for volunteers, sponsors and vendors to be part of Canada's premier paramedic conference.

Are you a paramedic student looking to get involved in your profession? Want to network with paramedics from across Canada, earn valuable experience, and see firsthand the innovations, education, and conversations shaping the future of paramedicine? Or are you a business or organization looking to connect with hundreds of EMS professionals from across the country?

This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger.

Volunteers will gain valuable experience, make lasting professional connections, and earn CME credits while helping deliver an incredible event.

Interested? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out today and join us at PACE 2026!

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