Ontario paramedic fired for criticizing Israel on social media hopes to be reinstated

A York Region paramedic who says she was fired over a Facebook comment that criticized Israel’s military actions in the Middle East says she is hoping to be reinstated soon.

Katherine Grzejszczak says she loves her job and the comment she made was in line with her “professional obligations” as a paramedic to call for an end to human suffering and for preservation of life.

The veteran paramedic was fired on June 20 after writing a comment that criticized Israel’s bombing of Gaza and several countries, and accused the country of starving Palestinian children and killing health-care workers.

Her dismissal triggered concern among free speech advocates and lawyers who say it was a violation of Grzejszczak’s Charter-protected right to freedom of expression.

Grzejszczak, who was also a member of Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario’s executive board, says she is going through a difficult time as she waits for the outcome of a grievance the union filed on her behalf.

A spokesperson for the Regional Municipality of York says nothing has changed “since the matter was initially addressed” with the employee.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2025.

The Canadian Press