From the beginning: A company built on listening
In 1960, in the small town of Beloeil, Quebec, Paul Demers founded what would become North America’s longest-standing ambulance manufacturer. As a funeral director, Paul recognized a critical gap in emergency transportation in his region. Instead of waiting for someone else to solve it, he did what would define the company for decades to come, he built a solution with his own hands.
From his garage behind the funeral home, with help from neighbours and local craftsmen, Paul built his first ambulances in response to the needs of his community. These weren’t products designed in isolation. They were practical answers to real-world problems. That early spirit of listening, adapting, and acting with purpose remains the foundation of Demers Ambulances 65 years later.
Shaping our path, together
From our earliest days to today, Demers has grown by staying closely connected to the people who rely on our vehicles every day. Our progress has never been driven by trends or guesswork but by a constant dialogue with our customers across Canada.
That journey began in Quebec, where foundational partnerships shaped our approach to quality and innovation. Urgences-santé holds a special place in our story. For over 50 years, our work together has resulted in the delivery of more than 575 ambulances, each one designed to meet strict operational requirements that pushed our standards higher with every build.
Dessercom has also played a central role in our evolution. As the largest client in Demers history, Dessercom has been a key partner in overcoming both technical and strategic challenges. Our work together has led to the development of the Medilite, the LTB, and several of our most recent platforms. This relationship is a clear example of what long-term trust and shared ambition can produce.
We have also grown alongside respected organizations such as CTAQ, CETAM, SPLL, and Paraxion. Their deep understanding of regional realities, paired with a long-standing commitment to collaboration, has helped us refine our products while staying focused on real-world performance.
Beyond Quebec, our expansion across the rest of Canada has been shaped by equally important milestones.
In 1994, we entered the Ontario market. Known for some of the highest operational standards in North America, Ontario challenged us to rethink how we manufactured and inspected our vehicles. This led to the implementation of assembly-line production and a quality assurance model that remains a cornerstone of our operations today.
In 2009, Alberta Health Services awarded Demers a major contract. That collaboration sparked the development of Mobilitrack, a seating system that allows paramedics to remain mobile and safe while buckled in during transport. Created in direct response to a field tragedy, it is a lasting example of how listening to the end user leads to real innovation.
In 2010, British Columbia launched a large-scale ambulance tender in preparation for the Vancouver Winter Olympics. With strict timelines and high expectations, the province sought a reliable partner to support emergency response during this major international event. Demers submitted a comprehensive proposal of nearly 600 pages and was awarded the contract. A new vehicle model was developed and delivered on schedule, reinforcing emergency services during the Games and marking a significant step in establishing our footprint in the province.
Each of these relationships, from provincial services to local operators, has contributed to what Demers has become. They continue to guide how we design, build, and serve.
Innovation inspired by the field
At Demers, we don’t innovate for the sake of it. Every improvement we make comes directly from the needs and realities of emergency responders. Whether it’s about safety, durability, comfort, or environmental responsibility, our customers are the source of our best ideas.
Mobilitrack
As mentioned, this seating system now adopted across Canada was co-developed with Alberta paramedics. It allows crew members to move safely within the vehicle while remaining restrained, preventing further injuries and improving operational safety.
Aluminum Cabinets
Introduced in 1991 in response to feedback from rural Canadian services facing long distances and harsh conditions, these cabinets offered improved durability and easier maintenance: essentials for demanding environments.
Sprinter Medilite
Requested by Dessercom for non-urgent patient transfers, this model streamlined operations while maintaining high performance and comfort, becoming a key part of many fleets across Canada.
FX: When your ideas shape the future
The FX platform is the perfect expression of our co-development philosophy. Designed in close collaboration with paramedics, it is our first 100 percent electric ambulance, created in response to the growing need to reduce emissions in public fleets.
The FX incorporates advanced ergonomic features, like a lowered ceiling, reimagined workspace layout, and reduced strain during movement, all based on motion analysis and feedback from real users in the field. It stands as proof that sustainable, meaningful innovation can be born right here in Canada, through deep connection with operational realities. And it is already informing the development of our next-generation conventional platforms. An innovation that would not exist without the insight of our clients.
Partnerships that changed our course
Throughout our journey, certain partnerships have had a transformative impact on our evolution. These relationships challenged us to grow, helped us adapt to new demands, and often opened doors we never could have reached alone.
Rick Reddekopp/ ARVI
In 1992, Rick Reddekopp, then sales director at Crestline, contacted Yves Demers with the idea of starting a new company in Saskatoon. With a few vehicles provided on consignment, Advance Response Vehicles (ARVI) was born. In 2005, Demers acquired ARVI as part of our western expansion, and Rick joined the team to continue leading operations. Today, ARVI is fully integrated into Demers and serves as our primary hub for Demers and Crestline service and vehicle outfitting across Western Canada and the United States.
Olivier Roussin /Ambulances St-Gabriel
In many rural and regional areas, every ambulance makes a real difference. Ambulances St-Gabriel, led by Olivier Roussin, was among the first to purchase the Millennium ML146C. The service operates in a tight-knit community and today runs a fleet of four vehicles, including three new-generation Type 3 ambulances and one coordination unit. It stands as a clear example of how innovation reaches communities of all sizes.
Ambulances Demers
In 2012, Demers introduces the MX 152 on a Mercedes chassis. This is a diesel-powered option, making it more fuel-efficient than the discontinued Ford- and GM-chassis models. Ambulance Demers has purchased two prototypes in Quebec, and 200 have been sold in Ontario and the United States. The Municipality of Niagara has purchased the most MX 152s in Ontario, and CoxHealth in the United States.
Mr. Vézeau/ Ambulances Abitémis
Under the leadership of Monsieur Vézeau, Ambulances Abitémis became one of the first services to adopt the LTB model, helping to establish it across the market. This relationship continued with Dessercom, now the largest client in Demers history, which recently acquired the latest version of the LTB. This enduring partnership reflects a shared vision for performance, adaptability, and excellence.
CUS (Quebec/International)
CUS played a foundational role in helping Demers take its first step onto the international stage. One of their ambulances was used to secure our very first export contract to Venezuela. It was a turning point that marked the beginning of a new chapter, as Quebec-made innovation started to gain global recognition.
North Eastern Rescue Vehicles (NERV)
Founded in 2000 by certified paramedic Bob Reilly, NERV has since become a key export partner. In 2005, the addition of Bob’s Signs allowed for full in-house vehicle branding. Over the years, NERV has delivered more than 900 Demers ambulances in the United States. In 2006, it also supported a major international contract to supply 300 GM-chassis emergency vehicles to the government of Iraq.
Superior Ambulance
In 2008, Demers signed an important contract with Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, a large U.S. provider in Illinois and Indiana. Initially focused on Type II Ford-based units, the partnership has grown steadily. With over 300 vehicles delivered to date, this relationship shows how strong product performance and trust can translate internationally.
Together, always
Every customer matters, whether it’s one ambulance or a hundred, we’re proud to earn your trust, one relationship at a time. Every ambulance we’ve built over the last 65 years carries the imprint of those who use it. Whether it comes from a rural service with a fleet of two or a provincial agency with hundreds of units, every idea, every request, and every challenge has helped shape who we are.
It is this collective intelligence and shared purpose that transformed a local Quebec company into a recognized global leader. And we did it without ever abandoning the values that defined us from the start, proximity, excellence, and respect for those who serve on the front lines.
To all our clients, partners, and friends across Canada and beyond: thank you for helping us build this legacy. The road ahead is still ours to shape, together.