Ontario Increasing funding for the Land Ambulance Service Grant in the County of Peterborough

NEWS                                                                                                                       September 22, 2023

Peterborough – The Ontario government is investing nearly $811 million in the province’s Land Ambulance Service Grant (LASG) to help municipalities facing increased cost pressures in their emergency departments. As part of this funding, the Peterborough County-City Paramedics will receive $9,490,038 for 2023 year a $914,328 increase from 2022. This will support the hiring of additional paramedics, wage and cost of living adjustments, and general ambulance services operation to meet the needs of the local community.

“When people call 911, they need to know that paramedics will arrive quickly to meet their needs. A delay in a service call of just minutes can lead to drastically different results,” said MPP Dave Smith. “The Peterborough County-City Paramedics work hard to deliver emergency medical care. This investment will help all of us receive better service when our loved ones pick up the phone at that critical time,” MPP Smith added.

“We appreciate the ongoing collaboration and support from the Province as we face the systematic pressures experienced in our community,” said Peterborough County Paramedic Chief Randy Mello.  “This funding for our Paramedic Service ensures we continue to meet the community’s needs as we experience expanded calls for service in our region.” Chief Mellow added.

Through the LASG, municipalities receive funding for 50 per cent of the costs for their land ambulance operations. This funding is part of the government’s commitment to building a modern, sustainable, and connected emergency health system that supports every Ontarian on their health care journey. This also supports the government’s work on the Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recovery, to ease pressures on our health care system, hire more health care workers and providing the right care in the right place to Ontarians.

“We appreciate the ongoing collaboration and support from the province as we face the systematic pressures experienced in our community,” said Peterborough County Paramedic Chief Randy Mello.  “This funding for our Paramedic Service ensures we continue to meet the community’s needs as we experience expanded calls for service in our region.” Chief Mellow added. 

“The Government of Ontario has been a strong partner to help our Peterborough County-City Paramedics meet the needs of our growing communities,” said Peterborough-County Warden Bonnie Clark. “The increase to the Land Ambulance Service Grant has enabled us to be proactive in ensuring adequate service and planning for the years ahead. Sustained funding for the PCCP will assure Peterborough County residents that their paramedics will be there when they are needed the most.” Warden Clark added.

The provincial government is also investing an additional $51 million into the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program (DONP) over the next three years to reduce offload delays at hospitals. This will provide 30 municipalities with around 800,000 dedicated hours to support offloading ambulance patients to the emergency department, ensuring paramedics can get back out into the community faster.  The County of Peterborough will receive an increase from $450,683 to $479,257 for 2023-2024 fiscal year.

With Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, our government continues to take action to strengthen the healthcare system so that it is responsive and evolving to meet the health needs and priorities of Ontarians, no matter where they live.

Quick Facts

  • The province’s 2023 investment of $811 million in the Land Ambulance Services Grant represents an average funding increase of 11 per cent for municipalities over the last two years.
  • Nearly 200 patient care models being led by more than 50 paramedic services across the province are now approved to provide more appropriate and timely care options for eligible 9-1-1 patients in the community instead of in the emergency department.
  • Ontario is investing an additional $44 million this year in 165 high volume and smaller emergency departments to reduce wait times and provide people with faster and easier access to timely care close to home.

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