In the first meeting between the province's new minister of health and the organization representing New Brunswick paramedics, both sides came away Wednesday with harsh words for each other.

Don Wilson, president of the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick, says Health Minister Mike Murphy shrugged off the group's concerns about recognition of experience.

Wilson said unlike other provinces, New Brunswick only recognizes primary care paramedics, even if they've spent time and money upgrading their skills to advanced care.

Wilson said the association told Murphy paramedics might leave the province if those recognition issues don't change.

"He said, 'I don't care. I don't care if they all leave. We'll hire new ones,' " Wilson said. "We find that, coming from a minister, a little difficult to swallow."

Murphy denies saying that to the association.

"And we're very disappointed that [Wilson] would use that instance to either gather power or create chaos."

Murphy said he's received e-mails from other paramedics that show they don't agree with their own association.