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Savoline to Province: 'Get out of our face' By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Some members of Halton regional council would like Ontario's new ambulance policy to go for a ride. Right back 10 the provincial doorstep, as a malter of fact. Since January 1 of this year, municipalities have been ponying up for ambulance costs, despite the fact that poicy decisions remain a provincial responsibili- ty. By January 1, 2000, Queen's Park will have down- loaded full control of area ambulance service 10 Halton. Council will have 10 corne up with a plan on how to run il by Seplember, 1999. That elevaîed the blood pressure of Halton Chair Joyce Savoline, who said thal ambulance 'services should neyer have left the provincial fold in the first place. 'This is heallh care, il isn't transportation. You can'l consider lhis a taxi service," said Ms Savoline. If the Reginn is gning 10 shell out lhe cash, it should be making policy decisions as well, she said. "We're simply cheque writers this lime. Take il back, or give il 10 us and gel out of our face," said an angry sounding Ms Savoline. Prior t0 the downloading, ambulance services were run by th e Ministry of Healh. If ambulances are ta be downIoaded, then the reins of policy control shouldn'l be as tight as provincial puise strings, Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale sald. "How can you argue that Ihis is the ultimate effi- ciency when you don'l have policy conîrol and you can't control dispaîch? 'Maybe lhere's a new language I don'l understand, but il doesn't make sense 10 me," Ms Mulvale added. Halton hired a consultant ta help them deal with the upcoming transfer of responsibilities. Mary Rubenslein of IIBI Group painled a piclure of rising costs and increased service calîs direcled ta lhe regional health and social services committee. According 10 IBI estimates, ambulance calîs will increase 41 per cent by 2004. That means Hallon' s 13 vehicle ambulance fleet would respond 10 39,200 calîs Ihal year, Up ftom the 27,800 clocked during 1998. The increase is due 10 the combined effecîs of growlh and an aging population in the years to corne, said Mr. Rubenslein. To cope, IBI poedicted Halton would have 10 shell out $9.4 million for the service in 2004, Up from the $5.6 million cost loday. Those estimales are based on Hallon keeping the samne ambulance system lIhaI is in operation loday. Qîher options include contracling out, operaling ambulance services directly from the Region or mine- graling fire and ambulance for a new emergency ser- vices department, Mr. Rubenstein said. iBI's inîerim report led Ms Mulvale 10 wonder if lIe dumping of ambulances on the Region's lap may cre- aie an emergency of a different kind for Halton - an economnic one. e »Oe ANNOYED on page 9 - -- A~