Land Ambulance Funding

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith announced today that the riding will receive $315,510 for land ambulance services as part of the McGuinty government’s goal accomplish equal cost-sharing with municipalities.

Full details are contained in the release below.

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The McGuinty government is providing $315,510 to Nipissing to strengthen the land ambulance services residents depend on, Nipissing MPP Monique Smith announced today on behalf of Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman. The investment is part of a plan to achieve equal cost-sharing with municipalities by 2008.

“Our government is committed to helping municipalities provide quality ambulance services,” said Smith. “This investment will enable the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) to maintain the high standards of ambulance services currently being provided to people in Nipissing.”

In February, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the government will be spending $300 million over the next three years to achieve true 50/50 sharing of the cost of municipal land ambulance services by 2008.

The $315,510 being provided to DNSSAB in 2006 will increase the provincial contribution to the costs of providing land ambulance services to at least 40 per cent.

“The Premier’s commitment to achieving a true partnership with municipalities delivering ambulance services in Ontario will benefit every property tax payer in the Province,” said Roger Anderson, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

“We have listened to the concerns of municipalities about land ambulance services and we have responded,” Smitherman said. “Ambulance service is crucial – often it’s literally a matter of life and death. All Ontario residents, regardless of where they may live, are entitled to first class ambulance services and we will continue to work with municipalities to ensure that these services are available to people in every part of this province.”

Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to build a health care system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

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