Region of Waterloo Paramedics in code red Friday evening

Waterloo Region’s ambulances were in a “code red” situation once again on Friday evening – meaning there were none available to accept new calls.
Dave Bryant, co-Vice President of CUPE Local 5191, which represents Region of Waterloo paramedics says he was made aware they were in a code Red Friday evening as of 7:51 p.m.
According to Bryant, twelve ambulances were waiting at Cambridge Memorial Hospital because of off-load delays – with each ambulance likely waiting upwards of “multiple hours.”
Bryant explained that code reds are “completely unpredictable” and says it’s often unclear when ambulances will become available again.
“Code reds can last anywhere from one minute up to several hours,” he added.
Call volume and hospital capacity are major factors.
Bryant also says paramedic staffing challenges are a major factor contributing to the ongoing code reds in Southern Ontario.
CUPE has also been calling on regional politicians for more action to address the situation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 EXCLUSIVE | Interviewing a narco hitman: my journey into Mexico's cartel heartland
W5 goes deep into the narco heartland to interview a commander with one of Mexico's most brutal cartels. W5's documentary 'Narco Avocados' airs Saturday at 7 pm on CTV.

Tyre Nichols' brutal beating by police shown on video
Memphis authorities released video footage Friday showing Tyre Nichols being beaten by police officers who held the Black motorist down and repeatedly struck him with their fists, boots and batons as he screamed for his mother and pleaded, ''I'm just trying to go home.'
OPINION | Selling a home? How to know if you qualify for a capital gains exemption
When selling a home, Canadians may be exempted from paying capital gains tax on a residential property -- if it's their principal residence. On CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains what's determined as a principal residence, and what properties are eligible for the exemption.
Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina for Australian Open women's title
Aryna Sabalenka, a 24-year-old from Belarus, who won her first Grand Slam title by coming back to beat Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at Melbourne Park on Saturday night, using 17 aces among her 51 total winners to overcome seven double-faults.
Inflation-focused Pierre Poilievre back to Parliament as health-care talks loom
With a deal under negotiation between Ottawa and provinces, and premiers invited to a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early February, the issue remains one where the Tory leader's position appears somewhat murky, including to some inside his own party.
Palestinian gunman kills 7 near Jerusalem synagogue
A Palestinian gunman opened fire outside an east Jerusalem synagogue Friday night, killing seven people, including a 70-year-old woman, and wounding three others before he was shot and killed by police, officials said.
Police say 3 dead, 4 hurt in fourth California mass shooting this month
At least three people were killed and four others were wounded in a shooting in California area early Saturday morning.
How to fix a howitzer: U.S. offers help line to Ukraine troops
Using phones and tablets to communicate in encrypted chatrooms, a rapidly growing group of U.S. and allied troops and contractors are providing real-time maintenance advice -- usually speaking through interpreters -- to Ukrainian troops on the battlefield.
CRA head says it 'wouldn't be worth the effort' to review all ineligible pandemic payments
The head of the Canada Revenue Agency says it 'wouldn't be worth the effort' to fully review $15.5 billion in potentially ineligible pandemic wage benefit payments flagged by Canada's Auditor General.