BILL NO. 338
(as introduced)
1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
2 Charles III, 2023
Private Member's Bill
Provincial Ambulance Service Act
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Cumberland North
First Reading: October 13, 2023
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act Respecting the Creation
of a Provincial Ambulance Service
1 This Act may be cited as the Provincial Ambulance Service Act.
2 The purpose of this Act is to improve the delivery of care by, and restore the confidence of Nova Scotians in, ambulance services in the Province by mandating a Strategy that will lead to the creation of a Provincial ambulance service.
(a) "ambulance services" has the same meaning as in the Emergency Health Services Act;
(b) "Department" means the Department of Health and Wellness;
(c) "EMC" means EMC Emergency Medical Care Incorporated;
(d) "Minister" means the Minister of Health and Wellness;
(e) "Provincial ambulance service" means an entity owned by the Government of the Province and operated by the Department that provides ambulance services in the Province;
(f) "Strategy" means the Provincial Ambulance Service Strategy developed under subsection 4(1).
4 (1) The Minister, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall develop a Provincial Ambulance Service Strategy in order to create a Provincial ambulance service.
(2) The Strategy must include recommendations to ensure that
(a) all EMC paramedics have a pathway to continue working as paramedics for the Provincial ambulance service as employees of the Department;
(b) all EMC paramedics who become employees of the Department are entitled to the same employment benefits as existing Department employees;
(c) the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 727, continues to represent its members in negotiations with the Department;
(d) Provincial ambulance service wages reflect the national average;
(e) Provincial ambulance service paramedics have improved access to mental health benefits and services;
(f) all Provincial ambulance service staff receive pension benefits after retirement;
(g) all Provincial ambulance service staff receive medical and health benefits that
- (i) continue after retirement, and
(ii) reflect medical and health needs due to the lasting effects of trauma that often occurs in the careers of ambulance services staff;
(h) funding is available to support the Nova Scotia Community College in establishing a training program for paramedics that is offered in the same locations as the practical nursing program and that has enough seats available to meet the Province's paramedic training needs; and
(i) the Department establishes, monitors and enforces appropriate standards for the Provincial ambulance service, including with respect to ambulance availability and response times.
(a) determine, in consultation with such other members of the Executive Council as may be necessary, what legislation and regulations are necessary to implement the Strategy and create the Provincial ambulance service; and
(b) include details respecting that legislation and those regulations in the Strategy.
6 (1) The Minister shall table the Strategy in the House of Assembly no later than April 30, 2024.
(2) The Minister shall introduce the necessary legislation referred to in Section 5 in the House of Assembly no later than November 1, 2024.
(3) Within three months of the coming into force of the legislation referred to in subsection (2), the Governor in Council or the Minister, as the case may be, shall make the necessary regulations referred to in Section 5.
(4) Within three months of the making of the regulations referred to in subsection (3), the Minister shall ensure that
(a) the Strategy's recommendations are implemented; and
(b) the Provincial ambulance service is operational.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2023 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created October 13, 2023. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
