Quebec launches second medical helicopter base in Mirabel, expanding critical-care access to five new regions

Quebec's medical helicopter transport service expanded October 19 with a second operational base at Mirabel airport, extending rapid critical-care access to five additional regions: Lanaudière, Laurentides, Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec, and Estrie.

The service, integrated into the 45-year-old Programme d'évacuations aéromédicales du Québec (EVAQ), operates from two bases. The first base, near Aéroport international Jean-Lesage in Quebec City, became operational June 15 and initially served Capitale-Nationale, Chaudière-Appalaches, and Bas-Saint-Laurent. Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean was added to that service area in late summer.

The system covers regions 75–250 kilometres from major centres. Specialized EVAQ teams on board focus on cardiology, neurology, neurosurgery, traumatology, intensive care, and pediatrics. The province aims to reduce delays for access to critical care and lower the strain on ground ambulances and hospital resources.

Since launch, nearly a hundred patients have been transported. Hélicoptères Summit operates the service under contract with the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable. Further deployment is planned for other targeted regions as the program continues.