The NPA had humble beginnings in late 1998 when a group of ambitious Paramedics pursued starting a chapter of the OPA in Niagara. The individuals who responded to these initiatives formed the Interim Board of Directors until bylaws were drafted and the first election was held. While we began with just 24 members, the NPA has grown into a strong professional body representing over 400 members across the region.
Yes. The Executive is comprised of Officers and Directors. Elections occur every 2 years and are staggered to ensure continuity, preventing the entire executive from being replaced by new members all at once.
No. The NPA does not involve itself in labour issues. We deal strictly with patient care, professional advocacy, and community issues. Paramedics in Niagara currently pay dues to CUPE Local 911, which is the union responsible for all collective bargaining and labour-related matters.
Membership allows Niagara Paramedics to have a consolidated, official voice to steer our profession. Politicians tend to choose the path of least resistance; a strong association ensures our professional needs and patient-care standards are never overlooked. Please refer to our membership benefits section for more details.
The NPA currently offers several membership tiers to fit your career stage:
- Full Paramedic: $24/month ($288/year)
- Alumni / Retired: $16/month ($192/year)
- Associate Member: $21/month ($252/year)
- Paramedic Legal Protection (Optional): +$8/month (Highly Recommended)
These dues provide you with station amenities, online access to Canadian Paramedicine Magazine, and automatic membership in both the Ontario Paramedic Association (OPA) and the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC). Essentially, your dues cover three organizations for the price of one.
Compared to other medical and emergency professional associations in Ontario, $288 is among the lowest. Because this fee covers local, provincial, and national representation, your money works significantly harder than a single-tier membership. For comparison (2026 estimates):
- $384 - Niagara Paramedic Association (NPA) (with Paramedic Legal Protection)
- $1,054 - Ontario Nurses Association
- $1,223 - Ornge
- $1,274 - OPP
- $1,339 - Ottawa Fire
- $1,531 - CUPE Local 911 (Union Dues)
The first step is becoming a member. Once joined, you can run for the Executive, join a specialized committee, or attend meetings to vote on current issues. An association is only as strong as its active membership; if each paramedic contributed just one day a year, our collective achievements would be incredible.
Yes. We welcome anyone with a professional interest in the field, including Communications Officers, Logistics/Supply Technicians, Students, and support staff.
- Associate Dues: $21/month
- Student Dues: $16/month
- Corporate Membership: TBD
The NPA works alongside the OPA in supporting provincial and national initiatives, however we are also focused on other key areas such as:
- Paramedic recognition - Through awarding special pins to congratulate members for successful baby deliveries, and regaining a heartbeat on cardiac arrest patients
- Paramedic support - Through providing a variety of base supplies to paramedics when not helping in the community
- Paramedic wellbeing - Through supportive committees like the Niagara Paramedic Benevolent Fund, and mental health initiatives
- Paramedic awareness - Through conversations with local politicians, public events and social media engagement
We also support local charities through events such as:
- Automatic membership in the OPA and PAC.
- Official OPA certificate, wallet ID card, and windshield decals.
- Access to "Paramedic Perks"—exclusive corporate discounts across Ontario.
- Discounted rates for CME, seminars, and national conferences.
- Online access to the Canadian Paramedicine Magazine.
Updated February 2026. For further questions, please contact the Board of Directors via the contact page.