Update: Strathcona County Reviewing Provincial Changes to EMS Funding

At their upcoming council meeting on May 12, 2026, Strathcona County Council will discuss the future of ground ambulance service delivery in the community.

View the report and presentation outlining analysis and potential options for the delivery of ground ambulance and medical first response services in Strathcona County.

March 31, 2026

Strathcona County is currently in discussions with Emergency Health Services – Alberta (EHS) regarding the future of its ground ambulance service agreement. EHS has indicated it is looking to adjust the funding terms that support ambulance operations. This would require Strathcona County to take on a greater share of costs to maintain the current service model, or alternatively, the province may explore other service delivery options, as health care including EMS is a provincial responsibility.

“The province is responsible, through Emergency Health Services – Alberta, for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and has notified Strathcona County of a change in funding for this service. Strathcona County takes this issue very seriously. Our integrated Fire-EMS model is a core component of public safety, and our community rightly expects timely, high‑quality emergency care,” says Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank. “As a specialized municipality, we are carefully reviewing the province’s proposed changes to fully understand the implications for our community.”

In 2025 Strathcona County attended 13,156 EMS calls and in the 2025 patient care survey, 90% of respondents were satisfied with their emergency services experience.

“We will continue to work with our regional and provincial partners as this review moves forward. Keeping residents informed and ensuring their safety remains at the centre of every discussion,” says Mayor Rod Frank.

Strathcona County is one of seven Alberta municipalities which received similar letters from EHS on March 13, 2026. An extension to the initial March 31 deadline was requested and granted to May 31, 2026.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications 780-410-6595