HALO Air Ambulance receives CA$1 million funding

Canada’s HALO Air Ambulance, based in Medicine Hat, Alberta, has received CA$1 million funding from its local city council, to be spread over 2023 and 2024. 

The City of Medicine Hat approved a $500,000 per year contribution back in July.

The nonprofit emergency response helicopter service – the only program of its kind in Southern Alberta – largely relies on local organizations and governments to fund its operations. Medicine Hat joins a number of other local municipalities in funding helicopter operations, including Bow Island, Cypress County and the Counties of Newell and Forty Mile.

HALO CEO Paul Carolan spoke to local news platform CHAT News Today about the new partnership. “This funding’s incredible and it really finishes the plan we set out in 2020 about making sure that we had that regional support as well as provincial support,” he said. “Having the city onboard is truly a milestone and we’re looking forward to the partnership going forward.”

Linnsie Clark, Mayor of Medicine Hat, commented: “I am eager to witness the further growth and success of HALO Air Ambulance. Today represents a stepping stone towards a brighter future where the wellbeing of our residents remains at the heart of our community.”  

The Canadian government recently invested $10 million in a remotely piloted aircraft system intended to assist with search and rescue (SAR) and first aid delivery.