Province Reverses Course on Integrated Fire and EMS Funding
Lethbridge city officials are expressing relief and optimism following the Alberta government's recent decision to halt the procurement process for ground ambulance services in communities with integrated fire and EMS systems. The move comes after months of uncertainty over the future of Lethbridge's 114-year-old integrated model, which combines firefighting and paramedic duties.
Currently, Lethbridge taxpayers pay $3.5 million annually on top of the provincial EMS contract to maintain the integrated service. Under proposed changes from Alberta Health Services' Emergency Health Services (EHS), the city faced additional costs of $3.7 million in 2027, rising to $4.6 million by 2029, according to city figures. That would have equated to a 1.8 per cent tax increase in 2027 alone.
City Council's Stance and Provincial Response
In March, Lethbridge city council rejected a demand from EHS to agree to fund costs above benchmark levels before negotiations could begin. Council voted against accepting any additional costs, while preserving the right to participate in future negotiations or a request for proposals process. That decision was reaffirmed on May 12.
The situation changed dramatically on June 23, when Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, wrote to mayors of Alberta's seven integrated fire and EMS communities. LaGrange announced she had stopped the current ground ambulance procurement approach and pledged to find "a more effective and deliberate way forward," with approaches possibly "slightly different" for each community.
"We remain committed to delivering EHS in a consistent, fiscally responsible and patient-focused way across Alberta — but it is essential that we get this right," LaGrange said in her letter.
Mayor Hyggen Expresses Gratitude
During a news conference last week, Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen welcomed the province's shift. "We said throughout the process that we believe in our system and of course we support our men and women that operate within our fire and emergency services," Hyggen said on June 23. "We also know integrated services are more expensive and we need to find a way, of course, to make it more sustainable without putting the tax burden on the residents."
The minister's office confirmed that EHS Alberta will work with the seven communities to design a strategy that supports them and brings costs in line with provincially delivered EHS services by 2028-29.
Impact on Lethbridge Taxpayers
The integrated model has been a point of pride in Lethbridge for over a century, but the financial pressure from the province had put its future in jeopardy. With the new direction, city officials are hopeful that a sustainable funding arrangement can be reached. The city had previously warned that the additional costs could have led to significant tax increases or service cuts.
"This is an incredibly positive step," said a Lethbridge city spokesperson. "We are ecstatic that the province is taking a second look and working with us to find a solution that recognizes the value of our integrated service while addressing fiscal realities."
The seven affected communities include Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and others with long-standing integrated fire and EMS models. The province has not yet released a timeline for the new strategy, but LaGrange emphasized the need to "get this right" for both patients and taxpayers.
