Lethbridge city council has postponed a decision on whether to accept the province's new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) costing model, with the mayor describing the issue as complex. City officials warn that supporting the proposal could cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Council to hold further talks
Following a nearly two-hour closed session on Tuesday, council agreed to publicly disclose previously approved confidential direction. Due to a procedural error, no motion was available for a vote on the new contract conditions presented by Emergency Health Services–Alberta (EHS-AB).
On March 24, council directed administration to notify EHS that the city does not agree in advance to cover any additional costs associated with a new EMS ground ambulance agreement. Council also reserved the right to participate in further negotiations or a request for proposals process.
On May 12, council is scheduled to vote on rescinding the March 24 direction. If approved, the decision would return to council for a final vote.
Integrated fire and ambulance service at risk
Mayor Blaine Hyggen explained that Lethbridge has been informed it would have to pay to continue its century-old integrated ambulance and fire service, where staff are trained as both firefighters and paramedics. Previously, the province funded a large portion of this service.
“However, previously (the province) paid for a large portion of that,” said Hyggen, who called the integrated service “superior” and noted that council supports it. “Some of that (funding) was (city) tax supported as well, because we understood the importance of it, but the province did give additional funding for that.”
Financial impact on taxpayers
Currently, Lethbridge taxpayers pay $3.5 million annually on top of the provincial EMS contract to maintain the integrated model. City officials estimate that proposed funding changes for a 2½-year contract extension with EHS could cost an additional $3.7 million in 2027 (equivalent to a 1.8 per cent tax increase), rising to $4.2 million in 2028 and $4.6 million in 2029.
Hyggen said the city has heard “loud and clear” from the Alberta government that it will not support additional funding, but officials will “continue to advocate to the last day.”
Ground ambulance contracts expiring
Most of EHS-AB’s ground ambulance agreements with contracted service partners expire on September 30. The provincial agency is conducting a strategy for new long-term agreements focused on high-quality patient care, fiscal sustainability, and maintaining Alberta’s blended model of public and contracted service delivery.
If municipalities with integrated fire and ambulance services decide against continuing at EHS-AB costing, those services will become part of a procurement process.
