The Ontario government is investing $13.4 million in the County of Renfrew to help residents access emergency care faster and boost the availability of paramedics and ambulances.
“Our paramedics in Renfrew County are a large component of the continuum of care in our community. This investment is another example of how our government is investing in care closer to home where it matters most — connecting people to the care they need and deserve,” said MPP Billy Denault.
Ontario is increasing land ambulance funding in Renfrew County by 22 per cent, bringing the province’s total annual contribution to $13,413,122. The enhanced base funding will help municipalities manage rising costs and maintain high-quality emergency services. Provincewide, Ontario is providing nearly $1 billion in land ambulance funding this year, an average increase of 8.7 per cent over 2024.
To further reduce delays when paramedics transfer patients at hospitals, the province is investing $163,800 in the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program for Renfrew County. The funding will support additional nurses and other health professionals focused on offloading ambulance patients in emergency departments.
The program helps paramedics return to the community more quickly and respond to 9-1-1 calls sooner. According to the province, ambulance offload times have dropped by about 65 per cent since their peak in October 2022.
Ontario is also continuing to expand the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), which improves the prioritization and triage of emergency calls. The system has been implemented in Mississauga, Kenora, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Renfrew, Georgian, Kingston, Lindsay, Oshawa and Timmins, with rollout at the remaining Central Ambulance Communication Centres now expected to be completed more than a year ahead of schedule.
(Richard Evans)
