Update on Provincial decision to halt EMS procurement
July 8, 2026
On June 22, 2026, the City of Spruce Grove received a letter from Alberta's Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, advising that the Province has directed EHS Alberta to halt its current procurement approach for integrated Fire–EMS operators and to work with the six affected municipalities on a path forward.
Many have speculated about what this pause means; however, very little detail has been provided. At the same time, the letter was clear that the City would still be required to match the EHS benchmark rate no later than 2028/2029, and potentially move toward it even sooner. There has been no indication in any of our discussions with EHS and Provincial officials of holding the existing funding as part of the pause, or that there is an opportunity to use this period to negotiate a new agreement at existing funding levels. Therefore, there is no new information that would change the City’s position that ambulance services are a provincial responsibility and should not be funded by municipal ratepayers - now or in the future. Even at the current level of funding, the municipal subsidy would begin in year one and increase annually.
The City has, and will continue to communicate to the Province the benefits associated with the integrated Fire-EMS model in our community and advocate that the Province recognize these benefits and provide funding at a level that appropriately reflects this model.
“We appreciate the feedback from our residents on both sides of the issue, something we carefully considered during our previous deliberations,” said Mayor Jeff Acker. “We are continuing to engage with the Province for additional clarity to ensure that nothing is missed in our interpretation and analysis. We have emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of service for our residents, including locally based ambulance resources. However, since there has been no new information received to date, we will continue transition planning with EHS as per Council’s decision on May 11. We commit to keeping the community informed as the situation becomes clearer.”
As part of any transition, the City will continue to advocate for an equivalent and uninterrupted level of service. This includes the expectation that two Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances are stationed directly within Spruce Grove, and that ambulance resources will scale and grow appropriately as population and service demands grow.
Following further discussions with the Government of Alberta and EHS officials, Council and Administration will review what any change in direction means for residents and the local Fire–EMS service.
This most recent announcement has no impact on the current operations of Spruce Grove Fire Services. Day in and day out, our first responders serve our community with integrity, skill, and professionalism, and we are deeply thankful for their continued commitment to keeping residents safe.
The City will share further updates as information becomes available.
June 23, 2026
On June 22, 2026, the City of Spruce Grove received a letter from Minister Adriana LaGrange regarding the Province's contract procurement strategy for integrated Fire/EMS operators, and advising that she has directed EHS Alberta to halt its current procurement approach, effective immediately, and to work with affected municipalities to shape a path forward.
The Minister has indicated she will invite the City to meet with EHS Alberta leadership and her department, with a stated goal of bringing costs in line with provincially delivered EHS services by 2028-29. At this time, there is little detail and information available for the City to fully comment on the letter. Fundamentally, this does not change the City’s position that ambulance and health services are a Provincial responsibility that should not be subsidized by municipal ratepayers. The letter received from the Minister appears to simply delay the requirement for the City to match EHS’ benchmark costs, something that can’t be achieved without municipal taxpayer subsidization.
We have always recognized the importance of this issue and will diligently seek clarity and further information from EHS and the Minister to determine if there is a better path and any need to alter Council’s previous decision on the matter.
May 12, 2026
Following careful review, Spruce Grove City Council voted Monday evening not to fund the additional cost associated with the provincial Ground Ambulance Service Agreement, a decision that will result in the transition away from the City’s current integrated Fire-EMS service model.
"This has not been an easy discussion or debate, and it’s not taken lightly by this Council,” said Mayor Jeff Acker. “The ultimatum by the Province on integrated Fire-EMS service models was unfair to the City of Spruce Grove, to all other municipalities with integrated service models, and to other municipalities served by these integrated units. Fundamentally, health care is provincial jurisdiction, and it would neither be sustainable nor fiscally responsible for us, as a municipality, to subsidize provincial matters."
The Province has indicated it is working to standardize ground ambulance service delivery across Alberta, while stating that integrated models operate at a cost higher than comparable models elsewhere in Alberta. Council’s decision aligns with the Province’s direction while maintaining the City’s principled position that health care funding is a provincial obligation.
“We are not in the business of absorbing open-ended provincial health care costs on behalf of local taxpayers, nor should we be,” said Mayor Acker. “The Province has committed to maintaining service levels for our residents, and we take that commitment seriously."
Following the unanimous decision of Council not to fund out-of-jurisdiction provincial costs, Council put forward a motion to support and maintain Medical First Response (MFR) at an Advanced Life Support (ALS) level by Fire Services, providing timely medical aid to patients on-scene, as appropriate. A second motion directed City Administration to explore options for potentially expanding MFR services in Spruce Grove’s 2027-2029 Budget and Fiscal Plan. Both motions received unanimous Council support.
The current ambulance contract runs through September 2026. The Province has indicated it will collaborate with the City in developing a transition plan, and the City will engage fully with that process to ensure continuity of care for residents.
"There is no debate that the City has enjoyed the benefits of an integrated model, and there is no questioning the professionalism, standard of care, and response that the leadership and members of Spruce Grove Fire Services have provided residents of the City and beyond under this model,” said Fire Chief Chad Priebe. “This has not been, and is not being, disputed by EHS, City Administration, or City Council. In fact, the City has been celebrated for its service delivery, as have other integrated departments in Alberta.”
The alternative option provided by the Province would have resulted in the City absorbing an additional cost of around $1 million per year at the start, with projected annual increases after that. The City will provide further updates as the Province’s transition plan takes shape. Visit sprucegrove.org for more information.