$89M in funding makes Ontario community paramedicine program permanent

Ontario provides $89 million in funding to make the community paramedicine program permanent, expanding care for seniors and First Nations people.

On Tuesday, the Ontario government announced $89 million in new fund to make the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program permanent while expanding services to First Nations communities.

Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau, who also chairs the Northern Ontario Service Delivery Association, expressed enthusiasm for the announcement.

“We’re just thrilled with this announcement,” Boileau said. “We know that community paramedicine has proven to be very valuable. And, for many of our northern communities, it’s often the only access to primary care.”

Boileau noted that she and the association have been advocating for this funding for the past four years.

“It’s been helping alleviate waitlists for long-term care. It’s been helping to alleviate visits to emergency departments across the region,” she said. “Something that is, of course, of importance to many of our communities and we know that this is working.”

Program provides critical at-home care for seniors

The provincial paramedicine program offers 24/7 non-emergency support, allowing more seniors to age safely at home. Services include routine diagnostic procedures, at-home treatments and remote monitoring.

Initially launched as a pilot program in five communities in 2020, it expanded province-wide in 2022. Since then, the Ontario government reports that the program has:

• Served more than 81,000 people and
• provided more than 310,000 hours of direct care.

Sudbury paramedic services highlight program’s success

Deputy Chief Melissa Roney of Greater Sudbury’s Paramedic Services emphasized the program’s effectiveness.

“In 2024, we were rostering – meaning caring – for just over 1,800 unique patients,” she said. “So fairly substantial, considering we have four people on during the day and one community paramedic at night.”

Roney also told CTV News that the program has reduced unnecessary emergency calls.

“What we’re seeing is an increase in people who are able to stay at home, fewer 911 calls for those non-urgent patients,” she said. “Instead of calling 911, these patients are calling their community paramedic for their low-acuity and non-urgent needs. In 2024, our community paramedics in the city were able to reach out and meet just over 13,000 people, either by phone or in person.”

Permanent funding ensures stability and long-term care

Roney said the province’s commitment provides much-needed stability for the program.

“It offers the ability now for stability, some long-term planning in our program because we were never sure whether or not the lights would stay on following the end of the fiscal year,” she said. “But really, most importantly, I think it’s really great that we can provide consistent care.”

Roney praised the program for showcasing the evolving role of paramedics.

“This program really shows that paramedics are highly skilled, adaptable professionals who can do more than just respond to emergencies – they can prevent them.”