An ambulance rushes along a Toronto street. A 2023 study found that on average a member of nearby Peel Region's paramedic service was physically or sexually assaulted every 46 hours.Photo by Peter J. Thompson/National Post/File

'Social fabric is fraying': Rise in violence against first responders prompts calls for tougher punishment

Bill C-321 would amend the Criminal Code to make assaults against health-care workers and first responders an aggravating factor during sentencing

by · National Post

Canadian first responders put themselves at risk every day, and experts and frontline workers warn violence against this group is rising.

Justin Mausz, a paramedic and co-lead of the Violence Against Paramedics Project, said reports of violent attacks on health-care professionals and public safety personnel are growing at an alarming rate. Another paramedic, Paul Hills, testified to this trend last year.