The Ontario government published a media release stating it is investing millions of dollars to expand the air ambulance fleet and services with two more high-speed fixed-wing jet-powered air ambulances and a new hangar in Simcoe County. Moreover, the release states this will “better connect people in Northern and rural communities to the care they need when they need it.”
This $93 million investment follows another $108 million investment in air ambulances announced in November 2023.
“Our government recognizes the critical role Ornge plays in providing patients with timely access to critical care services, no matter where they live in Ontario,” stated Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health in the release. “Through another record investment in Ornge, our government is continuing to make it faster for Ontarians to connect to the care they need, when they need it, for years to come.”
According to the release, this $93 million investment will fund “two new, high-speed Special Mission Aircraft [that] can travel longer distances without the need to refuel, enabling Ornge to complete four long-distance transports per day, double the amount completed by Ornge’s smaller planes.”
The aircraft, a PC-24 jet, was confirmed by Ornge to have a take-off distance of 3,090 feet, or less than a kilometre of runway. Moreover, information from Pilatus Aircraft, the maker of the PC-24, confirms the jet can operate on both paved and unpaved runways. This allows the PC-24 to land at more airports, many of which typical jet airplanes fly over.
Additionally, the jet has an operating range of 2,000 nautical miles, or 3704 kilometres with a 1,200-pound/ 545-kilogram payload of 6 passengers. In theory, that could deliver those passengers from Toronto to Calgary and still have some fuel in the tank left over.
Furthermore, the Ontario Government is providing more funding for mental health via Ornge air ambulances as well.
“[Ontario is] expanding Ornge’s dedicated mental health patient transport team to reduce the response time for patients in need of emergency mental health care,” reads the release from the Government of Ontario. “This team provides specialized mental health care for patients during transport and in the first year of implementation, provided in-flight mental health care to 741 patients.”
Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, said this about the funding announcement.
“Our investment in Ornge’s expanded fleet and additional frontline staff is a major step in improving access to emergency care in northern remote First Nations communities. With approximately 98 per cent of Ornge’s fixed-wing patient transports originating in the North, these all-new Special Mission Aircraft will ensure faster, more reliable transport for critically ill patients in every corner of Ontario. Our government will continue to work with First Nations partners, ensuring they have the resources needed to respond to realities on the ground in their communities”
Along with the additional aircraft, the investment will include the hiring of 102 additional staff, including pilots, paramedics, a “dedicated” mental health team, and aircraft mechanics.
