The Ford government intends to merge the 59 local ambulance services in Ontario into just 10, CBC News has learned. The plan is hinted at in the budget tabled last week by Finance Minister Vic Fedeli, with a passing reference to "integrating emergency health services into Ontario's health care system." "The government will streamline the way land ambulance dispatch services are delivered by better integrating Ontario's 59 emergency health services operators and 22 dispatch centres," says the document, without providing details. "The government is exploring new models of care and delivery for emergency health services to improve care for patients and reduce duplication," the budget adds. CBC News has asked Health Minister Christine Elliott for comment, and is awaiting her response.

Source: CBC News April 16, 2019 14:03 UTC