As the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living I am pleased to announce that as of January 1st, 2017 the Manitoba government will be reducing ambulance fees. After working with the Regional Health Authorities, the first step has now been taken to reduce the current average ambulance fees of $500 by 50 per cent over the next four years, in order to make this important service more affordable for Manitobans. We have heard the concerns that ambulance fees are too high in Manitoba and ambulance service bills will be reduced to either $475 or the pre-existing base fee established by the service provider, whichever is lower.

It is important to note that this is only a first step. All of us would like to see ambulance fees reduced more quickly but I am glad the are now finally being reduced after years of increases. I look forward to seeing further reductions to ambulance fees soon.

In addition, all surcharges must be removed including kilometre fees. Some examples would be: fees for an ambulance in Winnipeg now will now be decreased to $475 from an average of $522, the former Assiniboine region of Prairie Mountain Health will be decreased to $475 from $530, the former Parkland region of Prairie Mountain Health has now had the $3-per-kilometre fee eliminated, the City of Thompson will be decreased to $475 from $500, the flat rate of $800 for trips longer than 100 km will be will be eliminated, and the Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority will also have the $3-per-kilometre fee eliminated.

Ambulance services are outside the scope of the Canada Health Act and costs are the responsibility of the patient in jurisdictions across the country. In Manitoba, land ambulance services are delivered by a combination of providers including regional health authorities and other service providers under agreement with regional health authorities such as municipalities or First Nation communities. If you would like to learn more or have any questions surrounding ambulance fees in Manitoba, please visit gov.mb.ca.