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By Regan Tate

HALO to receive more than $1M in annual funding from provincial government

Mar 31, 2022 | 10:33 AM

UPDATED STORY: Sustained HALO funding the culmination of almost 20 years of advocacy

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MEDICINE HAT, AB – For the first time ever HALO (Helicopter Air Lift Operation) is getting guaranteed funding and a contract with Alberta Health Services. HALO had been operating under a fee for service agreement.

Premier Jason Kenney is in Medicine Hat on Thursday and announced that HALO will get more than $1 million in annual funding. Kenney says they have heard from Albertans about the importance of experienced regional air ambulance operators.

HALO has been lobbying for years for this type of funding arrangement with the Provincial Government.

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Paul Carolan, CEO of HALO stated “this historic investment represents countless hours of work, by thousands of people, over the past 20 years.” He added, “the Government of Alberta as a predictable and stable funding partner ensures HALO will not only remain in flight for your life in southern Alberta, but will be able to enhance our ability to provide world-class helicopter emergency medical services for decades to come.”

Michaela Frey, the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat says “this deal has been a long time coming. This stable and predictable funding is not only well deserved but essential for rural Alberta.”

Fort McMurray-based Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation (HERO) will get almost $2 million under a new five-year contract, which is double its current annual funding.