News

November 14, 2025

CUPE 1842 is proud to once again partner with Hastings–Quinte Paramedic Services for our annual “Fill Our Wheels With Holiday Meals” food drive campaign. Each year, our members join together to support families across our region who are experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season — and 2025 is no different.

Throughout November and December, Paramedics from CUPE 1842 will be collecting food donations and monetary contributions at several local grocery stores and paramedic bases across the region. With your help, we aim to fill our ambulances with nutritious food that will make a meaningful difference for individuals and families in need.

2025 Food Drive Locations & Dates

• Belleville Metro – Saturday, November 22 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Trenton Metro – Saturday, November 29 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Picton No Frills – Saturday, December 6 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

In addition to these in-person events, donations can also be dropped off at participating bases throughout the campaign period.

Why It Matters

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for many families in our community. Rising costs, food insecurity, and financial pressure often mean families struggle to put meals on the table. Every can, box, or dollar donated helps bring comfort and nourishment to someone who needs it most.

Join Us in Making a Difference

We invite all residents to help us support our local food banks and community programs. Your generosity helps fill shelves, fill bellies, and spread kindness during the holiday season.

Thank you for helping us Fill Our Wheels With Holiday Meals — together, we can make the season brighter for those who need it most.

‘Tis the season to give back to our local communities.

CUPE Local 1842, along with Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Service is teaming up and running food drives, with all donations going to local food banks in the community.

• December 3 11:00am-5:00pm: Paramedics will be at Metro in Belleville (110 N. Front St, Belleville) collecting food for Gleaners Food Bank
  
• December 16 11:00am-3:00pm: Paramedics will be at Metro in Picton (73 Main St W, Picton) collecting for the Picton United Chruch Food Bank

Sunday, September 24th

Attention CUPE Local 1842 members:

As per our CUPE Local 1842 bylaws, the current Union Executive will complete its term on December 31, 2017. 

Nominations are being accepted for the following positions on the Union Executive:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Stewards
• Trustees

Friday, September 22nd

CUPE 1842 Paramedics would like to congratulate all those who took part in the 2017 Tour Paramedic Ride from Toronto to Ottawa.

It was our Locals pleasure to provide refreshments for the riders on their route through our area and meet participants at the HQPS lunch in Wellington.

We appreciate your efforts for such a meaningful cause and are happy to contribute.

Thanks again to SpringBox for providing the water for our rest stop and Emm’s Restaurant for hosting us.

Wednesday, September 20th

Recently CACO held its annual conference to discuss topics related to the Paramedic Profession. The two day conference was held in Niagara Falls and was attended by three CUPE Local 1842 members.

As part of this conference delegates formulated the following response to the Minister of Health regarding the Ontario Governments proposed changes to delivery of Paramedic Services.

• See full CACO response

CUPE 1842 Paramedics would like to thank all delegates in their role in advocating for our profession and congratulate newly appointed CACO Chair Jason Frasor.

Thursday, September 14th

On Saturday, September 16th day 2 of Ontario Tour Paramedic Ride will be passing through our service area as part of their four day ride from Toronto to Ottawa.

“The 2017 Ontario Paramedic Ride Route will travel over 300 km starting in Toronto passing through Port Hope, Kingston and Brockville arriving four days later in Ottawa. Riders from Ontario, will join the riders from Quebec, and travel together arriving on Parliament Hill.”

CUPE Local 1842 Paramedics are pleased to once again support this event and cause with a financial donation along with providing refreshments for riders and support staff at their designated pit stop in Carrying Place. Local 1842 members will be awaiting riders at Emm’s Restaurant on Highway 33 in Carrying Place from 11:00am till all riders have passed enroute to their lunch stop in Wellington. Special thanks to SpringBox for their donation of refreshing unbottled Canadian Spring Water.

We look forward to taking part in this event and applaud all those who have taken on this cause.

See you on Saturday!

Monday, September 11th

In accordance with CUPE National’s recommendation to offer local apparel, Local 1842 Paramedics have put together a new clothing line that is now available.

A list of items with available sizes and colours can be found in our Clothing Catalogue below. 2017 orders will be submitted on Monday, October 16th and Monday, December 4th. To place an order, contact Danielle Spitzig at daniellespitzig10@hotmail.com

• CUPE Local 1842 Clothing Catalogue (Click on Catalogue images for product information)

Friday, September 8th

CKWS Kingston / Global News:

“It looks like a mountain of food piled up in Belleville’s Gleaners food bank warehouse. The large donation is the result of a food drive held by Hastings-Quinte EMS workers two weeks ago. It’s a contribution the food banks Director of Operations Susanne Quinlan is happy to see.”

• See full story & video from CKWS

Friday, September 1st

Thank to all those who took part in the CUPE 1842 Paramedics Colouring Contest. We hope you enjoyed participating as much as we enjoyed receiving all your creative and talented entries.

The contest winner has been selected by random draw and the winner is……………………

Jakob Cunningham – Age 9

Paramedic Claudia Cicciarella with Colouring Contest winning entry submitted by Jakob Cunningham (9).

Congratulations Jakob. We look forward to delivering your prize pack just in time for Back to School.

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