MPP Rick Bartolucci made an announcement today that was mimicked by MPPs across the province. The Ontario government has increased funding over the course of three years to land ambulance services in order to match the municipalities contribution to and equal 50:50 ratio.
The announcement will provide an additional $1,004,067 to Greater Sudbury and an additional $41 million across the province.
“This is another example of the work our government is doing to alleviate pressures from municipalities as we continue to work to upload costs downloaded onto municipalities by the previous Conservative government,” said Bartolucci.
Tim Beadman, Chief of Emergency Services in Greater Sudbury, said that he was pleased with the announcement because it is less money that will have to come from the municipal budget.
The total cost of land ambulance services in Sudbury is around $15-16 million.
The funding announced today will assist municipalities and designated delivery agents who are responsible for providing land ambulance services. Under the Ambulance Act, municipalities are responsible for the cost and provision of land ambulance services within their jurisdiction. Provincial funding to assist with these costs is provided through land ambulance services grants.
