When Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced that changes were going to take place affecting Manitoba’s EMS stations, members of rural Manitoba’s volunteer First Reponder, medical staffing, and municipal governing bodies were hearing it for the very first time, the same as the rest of the province.

A total of 18 EMS stations will be closing, bringing the number of EMS stations in Manitoba from 92 down to 74.  And, of the 18 stations slated for closure, 11 of them are within the area of Prairie Mountain Health.  Several stations to be closed will be consolidated with new stations, or with those that are being upgraded.

In response, a number of municipalities are petitioning the government to reverse their decision.

MP Larry Maguire says that this is a provincial decision, and having conversation with the municipalities to help with the decision-making might have made the situation better.  “There could have been more discussion between the province and the communities, municipalities and jurisdictions involved.  We’ll just have to see how the whole issue plays out.”

“I have no problem with the communities working hard for their own issues,” adds Maguire, “and I’ll be working hard with them but we have to be cognizant that there are changes taking place in our health system. But we hope it will be for the better.”

“And so, I think if things are going to come out like this then they could still, perhaps, have some discussions with the communities involved and maybe there will be some opportunity for changes even yet.”

Maguire says if municipalities are putting a petition together then they need to get them to their local politician so they can be put forward to the government.  “Just because they are with the government doesn’t mean they won’t respond to petitions.  I’ve seen many cases where they have.”