Municipalities differ on how to handle ambulance funding cut
St. Albert voted unanimously on May 19 to maintain its integrated ambulance service, which comes with an estimated 1.2% tax increase. "The prudent approach, in my view, is to continue the integrated model while watching the experiences and outcomes in other municipalities that have transitioned away from these services over the coming years," said Coun. Sandy Clark when introducing the motion that kept the status quo. "We do not need to be first." In March, the provincial government told several municipalities — Leduc, St. Albert, Strathcona County, Spruce Grove, Wood Buffalo, Lethbridge, and Red Deer — that it would be changing the way it funds the integrated model of ambulance services, in which municipalities hire first responders to work as both firefighters and paramedics instead of using provincial ambulances. The province told these municipalities that there is a benchmark price they should be spending on ambulance services, and if the municipalities wanted to continue with the integrated model, they would have to pay the difference themselves.
Strathcona County also voted to accept that difference at an estimated 0.73% property tax increase. "Every option and its impact on residents was taken into serious consideration," said Mayor Rod Frank. "Maintaining locally delivered ambulance service through our integrated Fire-EMS model best supports the safety and well-being of our community." In a 6-3 vote, Red Deer also voted to keep the contract and absorb roughly $3 million in additional annual costs.
Meanwhile, Spruce Grove council voted against absorbing the additional costs of the contract, saying it aligns with the city's belief that healthcare is a provincial responsibility. "We are not in the business of absorbing open-ended provincial health care costs on behalf of local taxpayers, nor should we be," said Mayor Jeff Acker. "The province has committed to maintaining service levels for our residents, and we take that commitment seriously." Leduc also voted to transition out of the agreement, and said that while ambulances will provide the same level of care, firefighters will only provide immediate, life-saving care at a primary care paramedic level until an ambulance arrives. Lethbridge city council voted not to absorb the costs, but it also voted to enter negotiations with the province instead.
