Toronto Pearson Airport could see full-time paramedics amid 6,000 annual emergency calls

Peel Region is exploring whether it should station full-time paramedics at Toronto Pearson Airport, saying the growing number of emergency calls at Canada’s largest airport may warrant a dedicated on-site presence similar to the police service already in place.

The issue was raised during the July 9 meeting of Peel Regional Council as representatives from the airport provided councillors with their annual update on operations and future plans, including Pearson LIFT — a decade-long, multi-billion-dollar infrastructure program designed to modernize the airport and increase capacity.

Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish asked airport officials about the possibility of having paramedics stationed at Pearson, noting that Peel Police already have a full-time presence at the airport.

“I know you pay police services fully and I appreciate that. But I’m just curious about paramedics because I think with the increased passenger loads coming in and this new plan, we’re going to be having a lot of paramedic services going in there,” Parrish said during the meeting.

Nancy Polsinelli, Peel’s Commissioner of Health Services, responded that Peel Paramedic Services currently responds to thousands of calls at the airport each year.

She told council that discussions are already underway with airport officials about creating a dedicated paramedic station at Pearson.

“We see just above 6,000 calls a year at the airport,” Polsinelli said. “We have been having conversations regarding stationing paramedics within the airport as they do with police so that we can have better access to the full airport and quicker response times to patients.”

Polsinelli said one of the reasons for exploring an on-site paramedic presence is that many airport-related calls just need treatment on-site and do not result in patients being transported to hospital.

“Often those 6,000 patients are treated and then they’re released. They don’t actually go to hospital in most cases,” she said.

Having paramedics stationed at Pearson could allow emergency crews to provide care on-site more efficiently while improving response times across the sprawling airport property, she added.

“We’re very excited about continuing those conversations about opportunities like in other big airports where we’re going to be able to get to the airport so we can do more work with the airport on-site by having our paramedic station there,” Polsinelli said.

The discussion comes as Pearson prepares for significant growth through its Pearson LIFT program, an ongoing infrastructure and modernization plan aimed at allowing the airport to handle up to 65 million passengers annually by the early 2030s.

The first phase of the project represents a $3-billion investment focused on upgrading key parts of the airport, including baggage systems, airfield operations and passenger facilities.

Planned improvements include modernizing more than 30 kms of baggage infrastructure across Terminals 1 and 3, installing new technology to detect and clear baggage issues faster, and upgrading more than 20,000 airfield lights to a smart system.

The airport is also planning a high-speed taxiway to reduce aircraft waiting times after landing, expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure and introducing cleaner heating systems.

Future phases of Pearson LIFT will include upgrades to passenger-processing areas, commercial spaces and parking facilities.

With passenger volumes expected to continue increasing, Peel officials say the conversations about a permanent paramedic presence at the airport are focused on ensuring emergency services can keep pace with demand.

Peel Police already maintain dedicated officers at Pearson, but Polsinelli said Peel Paramedic Services does not currently receive funding or payment from the airport or the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) for its emergency responses.

The discussions between Peel and airport officials remain ongoing, with no timeline announced for a decision on whether a full-time paramedic station will be established.