Katherine Grzejszczak, a paramedic working for the York Region municipality in Ontario was fired after making a statement condemning Israel’s attacks on Palestinian civilians and its bombings of Iran and other countries.
The statement was made on Facebook in reply to a post from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario about a rally that was to be held at the US consulate in Toronto on June 22 in opposition to hostilities with Iran while also calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza.
Grzejszczak wrote quote:
“In the last 2 yeqrs (sic) Israel has bombed Palestine, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and now Iran. They have been occupying Palestine for 75+ years. They are luring starving Palestinian children to their concentration camp food aid depots so they can snipe them dead.
They keep murdering workers – media, healthcare, municipal – they just mass murdered 15 first responders, including 7 paramedics – Any union or other organization that doesn’t fight this is choosing to stay silent during genocide. Thanks CUPE Ontario and Toronto & York Region Labour Council for asking members to join these demonstrations, to stop the bombing of Iran. You’re one of the few who stand in solidarity with workers.”
Grzejszczak, a union member of CUPE Local 4900, made that post on Thursday, June 19, and was fired the next day shortly after speaking with York Region paramedic chief Jeremy Watts about the post.
CUPE Ontario stands with Grzejszczak
CUPE Ontario express solidarity with Grzejszczak:
“To dedicate your professional life to emergency response and preserving life, and then to be fired for giving voice to opposition to an ongoing genocide, exposes chilling contradictions,” said CUPE Ontario secretary-treasurer Yolanda McClean. “It’s the inconsistent position of York Region Paramedic Services that makes no sense.”
In a statement, CUPE Ontario said that York Region’s firing of Grzejszczak violated her Charter rights, which includes the right to freedom of expression.
A coordinated campaign to silence
Pro-Israel Canadian media personality Daklia Kurtz quickly targeted Grzejszczak for their social media post and questioned their integrity as a paramedic.
🟥A PARAMEDIC WHO PROUDLY WEARS A KEFFIYEH IN HER UNION PROFILE.
The same union sponsoring an event supporting the Regime in Iran.
I would not trust my life in her hands.
Would you feel safe if this paramedic treated you?
Go ahead and let @YorkParamedics know your thoughts! pic.twitter.com/WahJjoZhtQ
— dahlia kurtz ✡︎ דליה קורץ (@DahliaKurtz) June 21, 2025
After Grzejszczak’s termination, Kurtz celebrated on social media stating “WE DID IT! The keffiyeh paramedic was fired.”
Likewise, Vaughn city councillor Gila Martow indicated that she and Vaughn Mayor Steven Del Duca, the former leader of the provincial Liberal Party, had reached out to the York Region municipality to pressure them to fire Grzejszczak:
“On Friday June 20 I was made aware of a paramedic employed by York Region who had allegedly posted a hateful message on social media. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca immediately reached out to the Chair of York Region with the community’s concerns. The matter was investigated and we have received confirmation that the individual is no longer employed by York Region.”
When asked by rabble.ca about Grzejszczak’s firing, York Region director of corporate communications Patrick Casey implied that Grzejszczak’s Facebook comment somehow undermined confidence in public safety and violated York Region’s Inclusivity Charter.
“Maintaining public safety and confidence is of utmost importance to York Region,” reads an emailed statement to rabble on York Region’s decision to fire Grzejszczak. “York Region remains committed to fostering welcoming and inclusive communities, as affirmed by the Inclusion Charter for York Region.”
In a statement sent to rabble.ca CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn condemned York Region for firing Grzejszczak and accused them of anti-Palestinian bias:
“York Region’s characterization of Katherine’s comment is absurd, insulting and a clear example of anti-Palestinian bias. We’d argue that it’s not only everyone’s right, it’s everyone’s obligation to speak out against atrocities; indeed, it’s the only way they can be stopped. We’re shocked that York Region would fire a paramedic for having empathy and solidarity for people who are suffering. After all, that’s a key part of the job. And no employer has the right to terminate a worker who speaks out against war and genocide.”
Editor’s Note 2025-06-27 2:08 p.m.: The reference to Grzejszczak’s union representative not receiving a letter of termination has been removed as the letter was received on Thursday, June 26, nearly one week after Grzejszczak was first informed of her termination.
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