Quebec announces $36 million to improve ambulance services in rural areas

CTV News

2 days ago

Ambulances are shown outside a hospital in Montreal, Sunday, April 18, 2021. (Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press)
The Legault government is allocating $35.8 million to improve access to pre-hospital emergency services, particularly ambulance coverage, in rural areas.
Health Minister Christian Dubé made the announcement on Thursday, saying the government's goal is to offer 'the best possible pre-hospital coverage to Quebecers in all regions.'
Starting this year, Quebec will add 35,000 hours of ambulance coverage 'based on regional realities and observed needs.'
Part of the funds will be used to convert shift schedules — during which paramedics must remain available 24 hours a day to respond to emergency calls — to hourly schedules.
Quebec is also tripling funding for the first responder program, up from $11 million to $32.7 million for all regions.
This announcement comes two weeks after the release of a report by Acting Auditor General Alain Fortin, which highlighted that half of Quebecers live in a municipality without first responder services.
In these areas, 45 per cent of 'very urgent' calls are handled in more than 10 minutes. In rural areas, this proportion rises to 59 per cent, Fortin noted.
In his report, the interim auditor general reiterated the importance for municipalities to have a first responder service, since in 73 per cent of cases, first responders arrive before paramedics to provide basic care.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services hopes to increase coverage of the population from 50 per cent to 80 per cent by 2028. It points out that some 50 municipalities have expressed an interest in setting up a new first responder service.
'The amount in question is for both ambulances and first responders. Now it's up to each region ... to decide whether it wants to get on board. Not everyone has the resources to do so,' Dubé said at a news conference at the National Assembly.
'This major announcement ... shows that we are continuing to invest heavily in improving pre-hospital emergency services across Quebec,' he also said in a news release.
As announced earlier this year, the government is maintaining its commitment to install 450 new defibrillators over the next year.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French June 5, 2025.