Stories & Testimonials
Real voices from the Paramedic Community
The Road to the Monument campaign is more than a bike ride; it is a shared mission of remembrance and respect. Here, we share the personal stories of the riders and support crew illustrating their deep emotional drive behind our collective goal to build Canada’s National Paramedic Monument.
Personal Journeys Gallery
Ryan Charbonneau
Flight Medic | Thunder Bay
I’m proud to be part of the Road to the Monument.
Some goals are ambitious.
Some goals are challenging.
But all goals are achievable.
And when asked, “Can it be done?” — the answer has to be YES.
That is what makes the Road to the Monument so meaningful to me.
Building a National Paramedic Monument in Ottawa is an ambitious and challenging undertaking. It has taken years of persistence, commitment, and the belief that something that once seemed almost impossible can become reality.
And in many ways, those same words describe the work paramedics do every day.
We face adversity.
We accept challenges.
We step into situations that most people would never choose to enter.
We carry responsibility, uncertainty, grief and sacrifice — and still answer the call.
And there is another challenge we need to be willing to talk about: mental health.
The mental injuries that can come with this profession are real. The impact can be profound. And sometimes the hardest step isn't asking for help — it's finding the courage to join the conversation in the first place.
So let's say YES.
Yes to remembering those who came before us.
Yes to honouring those we have lost.
Yes to supporting the paramedics who are still answering the call.
Yes to talking openly about mental health.
Yes to breaking down the stigma that tells us we should simply carry it ourselves.
Yes to recognizing that none of us has to face these challenges alone.
And yes to continuing to advocate for the future of our profession.
The Road to the Monument isn't really about riding 1,500 km from St. John's to Halifax. That's just the first stage of a bigger goal of Ottawa. But it's part of the next stage to raising awareness and the conversation needed to continue our progress towards our goal.
The bike is simply the vehicle.
The conversation is the mission.
We are creating an opportunity to bring paramedics, families, colleagues, leaders and communities together — to share stories, honour sacrifice, raise awareness and remind each other that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.
We are one profession.
One community.
One family.
And when we speak with a united voice, our message becomes impossible to ignore.
Many Partners. One Mission. One Monument.
I’m proud to join the conversation.
I’m proud to be part of the crew.
And I’m proud to say YES to a challenge that is ambitious, difficult and absolutely worthy of achieving.
Join the conversation, be part of the voice........tell us.....
Whats your message?
#RoadToTheMonument #RTTM2027 #ParamedicFamily #ParamedicMentalHealth #Paramedics #OneMissionOneMonument #ManyPartnersOneMission #MentalHealthMatters #CanadianParamedics
Medically Retired Paramedic | Ottawa
Norm Robillard
Why am I involved with the Road To The Monument campaign? It will be a two-week-long commitment of money and time away from home. The weather will be unpredictable and the route – as much as we can plan it out in advance – will be arduous at times. So why, at age 61 and four years out of EMS, is this campaign so important to me?
About three years ago, I founded the non-profit organization The Human Behind The Responder. Our premise centers on a fundamental truth: behind every 911 call is a human being. Our motto, "movement is medicine," reflects my lifelong belief that physical activity and community are vital to everyone’s well-being—and it is no different for first responders. That is why the Road To The Monument (RTTM) campaign is a deeply personal calling.
For over a decade, the Canadian Paramedic Memorial Foundation has worked toward establishing a National Paramedic Monument in Ottawa. Canadian paramedics still do not have a dedicated national space to honour their commitment, service, and at times, the ultimate sacrifice—a reality that hit us earlier this year when PEI paramedics Mike McKenzie and Jenna Croucher died while on duty
When the RTTM Crew starts Year-1 from St. John's, Newfoundland around June 1, 2027, we aren't just riding bikes across tough terrain and into Atlantic headwinds. We are carrying the legacy of Canadian paramedics forward. Our crew is so far comprised of Dwayne & K9 George, Michael, Randy, Natalie, and me. The heaviest work will be in the planning. We only have six months from today to lay down a solid plan. Once hundreds of details are covered ahead of time, the execution of this campaign should be smooth.
While cycling 1,500 km through unpredictable weather and rugged terrain demonstrates our level of commitment, this campaign is not about the bike. The bike is simply the vehicle. We will refrain from posting how many kilometers we do each day, because that’s not what is important. We will post about the people we meet.
The true heart of this mission happens off the saddle: in-person meetings with MPs, paramedic service employees, families of the fallen, and community members along the route. By showing up in person instead of sending an email and, while taking our own health seriously by training up for this activity, we will amplify the message: that behind every dispatcher and paramedic uniform is a human. It is the people of the profession of paramedicine who deserve to be recognized with a national monument. May the RTTM campaign be a catalyst for the realization of an idea spawned by the CPMF over a decade ago.
Movement is medicine
Many Partners. One Mission. One Monument.
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