FORT MCMURRAY (660 NEWS) — A choose has granted an interim injunction that stops a northern Alberta municipality from withdrawing from the provincial ambulance dispatch service.
Justice Kent Davidson heard a request on Friday from the province looking for a court docket order to require the Regional Municipality of Wooden Buffalo to renew transferring medical emergency calls to Alberta Well being Providers.
It comes days after Mayor Don Scott and council voted unanimously to cease transferring calls as the brand new service is placing sufferers in danger because of delays and confusion.
Whereas it was disappointing information to listen to, Scott says this may give them an opportunity to put out all the proof in entrance of a choose.
“A choose goes to be uncovered to all of our considerations at that listening to and it’s an actual alternative for us to get out the total element of what’s taking place,” Scott stated.
Legal professionals for the federal government recommended that the northern municipality was working illegally by refusing to ship 911 calls to provincial dispatch.
Scott says they made this resolution to maintain his group protected and is listening to sturdy assist from his residents.
“I’ve actually heard loud and clear that they’re supportive of this resolution of council.
“The residents are going to be the winners if we’ve the most effective ambulance dispatch system, which is strictly what we’ve supplied since 1979,” Scott added.
A lawyer representing Wooden Buffalo stated it was within the public curiosity for the municipality to maintain dealing with emergency medical calls by way of its personal dispatch centre, which already handles hearth calls.
In a press release, Alberta Well being Providers and Alberta Well being are, “happy that the Court docket of Queen’s Bench has granted an injunction to make sure the Regional Municipality of Wooden Buffalo resumes sending 911 medical calls to AHS EMS dispatch.
“We sit up for working with the municipality on a easy transition.
“Our whole focus is on making certain residents of Wooden Buffalo get the care they want once they name 911. AHS EMS stays dedicated to working with the Regional Municipality to make sure sufferers proceed to obtain high-quality care.”
The interim injunction, which takes impact at midday Saturday, is to be in place till an software for a everlasting order may be heard in March.
The province consolidated emergency medical dispatch companies to save cash and just lately compelled Crimson Deer, Calgary, Lethbridge, and Wooden Buffalo to make the change regardless of their objections.
— with recordsdata from the Canadian Press.
