Nearly $764 million in funding will help municipalities across Ontario with increased costs of land ambulance operations
NEWS
December 22, 2022
WALKERTON – The Ontario government is investing nearly $764 million in the province’s annual Land Ambulance Service Grant (LASG) to help municipalities facing increased cost pressures in their emergency departments. As part of this funding, Bruce County will receive $6,355,411 to maintain paramedic staffing levels, wage and cost of living adjustments, and general ambulance services operation to meet the needs of the local community.
“Ensuring that patients can access the care where they need it, when they need it is an important priority for our government,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron – Bruce. “Ambulance services play an integral role in our health care system in Bruce County and this investment is ensuring that Ontarians are able to access that care.”
Through the LASG, municipalities receive funding for 50 per cent of the costs for their land ambulance operations. This funding is part of the government’s commitment to building a modern, sustainable and connected emergency health system that supports every Ontarian on their health care journey. This also supports the government’s work on the Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery, to ease pressures on our health care system, hire more health care workers and providing the right care in the right place to Ontarians.
“Land Ambulance Services funding from the Province of Ontario assists Bruce County with providing ongoing quality paramedic care and 911 service across the region,” said Bruce County Warden Chris Peabody.
“This funding will help better our ambulance services in the region and improve the quality of care residents of Bruce County receive. I am proud that our government continues to invest in accessible and reliable healthcare especially in Ontario’s more rural communities” said MPP Rick Byers.
In addition, the Ontario government is also continuing to fund 100 per cent of costs for Central Ambulance Communications Centres (CACCs) to dispatch ambulances, helping to deliver equitable emergency health services to Ontarians across the province.
QUICK FACTS
- In 2022, upper-tier municipalities and designated delivery agents are receiving nearly $764 million in funding from the government, representing an average increase of five per cent provincially compared to 2021 funding levels.
- LASG funding is provided on a 50-50 cost share basis with UTMs and DDAs and is based on the previous year’s council-approved operating budgets. Municipalities and DDAs are responsible for determining the provision and costs of land ambulance services that meet the needs of their community, including appropriate staffing levels.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Ontario Introduces A Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery
- For resources in multiple languages to help local communication efforts in responding to COVID-19, visit Ontario’s COVID-19 communication resources webpage.
- Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 information website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from the virus.
- For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario only).
MEDIA CONTACT
Jack Sullivan, Director of Issues, Media Relations & Strategy
jack.sullivan@ontario.ca