Alberta EMS crisis to receive funding from province

As part of Alberta’s Budget 2022, the province is providing $64 million in funding for ambulance services to improve response times.

The 12.2 per cent increase to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be used to add more ground ambulances and crews to address the historic rise in call volume.

“I’m confident this boost in EMS funding will strengthen the system and better serve all Albertans by adding capacity and improving efficiency,” Premier Jason Kenney said in a release.

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Edmonton and Calgary will receive five, 24-7 ambulances in each of the next two fiscal years.

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) President Mike Parker says the funding for more ambulances is great but the announcement does nothing to address the problem of trying to retain current employees.

“AHS treats our EMS members as expendable rather than the highly valuable professionals they are,” Parker said.

“We are seeing the results of this with a high rate of burnout and flight from our profession.”

Parker would rather see the province focus on a plan to retain, train and recruit paramedics and emergency communications officers to help deal with the crisis.

“People make the system work. For ten years they have been dealing with increases in call volumes. Kenney himself said demand has increased 30 per cent this year. The system is stretched beyond its capability and the only thing holding it together is its people,” Parker said.