Alberta Pauses Ambulance Service Contract Overhaul Until 2028-29

Alberta's government is pausing its ambulance contract strategy for seven municipalities with integrated fire and ambulance services, delaying the rollout until 2028-29.

Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange made the announcement Monday, saying the delay gives communities "time and support needed to plan, adapt and build sustainable services while ensuring emergency health services are always there when Albertans need them most."

The pause comes after Alberta announced new benchmark pricing in March that would reduce provincial funding to Red Deer, St. Albert, Strathcona County, Leduc, Spruce Grove, and Lethbridge. Municipalities had until May 31 to choose between accepting lower funding and raising local taxes to keep their decades-old integrated emergency model—where firefighters are trained paramedics—or handing the contract back to the province.

Red Deer, Strathcona County, and St. Albert chose to keep their model. Leduc, Spruce Grove, and Lethbridge opted for change. Municipalities had raised concerns that dismantling the integrated model could lead to potential layoffs and slower response times.

Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen issued a statement saying he is "grateful the province is taking a second look at how best to move forward." Elliott Davis, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters - Alberta, thanked the minister for pausing the process and taking "the time needed to work with municipalities and front-line workers to get this right."