Ontario invests $93 million to enhance air ambulance fleet in Simcoe County

Ontario is investing $93 million to expand Ornge Air Ambulance’s fleet to boost access to critical care for people in remote and northern parts of the province, with two additional high-speed, long-distance aircraft, a new hangar in Simcoe County, and more frontline staff.

“This investment ensures that Ontarians will have access to the life-saving care they need, no matter where they live,” said Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey.

The two new Special Mission Aircraft will allow the air ambulance service to double the number of long-distance transports it can handle daily. The larger planes can travel farther without refueling and can carry patients with specialized needs, including neonatal, pediatric, and bariatric care.

Lake Simcoe Regional Airport

The new aircraft and hangar will be based at the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport in Oro-Medonte, which will improve coordination for emergency care across the province.

“I am grateful that Ornge has chosen to partner with the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, and to help expand these services in our rural and northern communities,” Downey added.

“Our vision to advance Lake Simcoe Regional Airport as one of our region’s economic engines and enhance aviation services for businesses and residents that benefit our entire region is taking flight,” stated Simcoe County Warden Basil Clarke.

The first plane is expected to be purchased and in the sky by December 2027, with the second arriving in 2028.

Officials say they hope to have the hangar built several months before the first aircraft arrives, but no specific timeline was confirmed.

Additional Staff

Along with expanding the fleet, the province is also investing $25 million to hire 102 additional frontline staff by 2029, including paramedics, pilots, and aviation mechanics to ensure aircraft are always ready when needed.

The funding will also support the expansion of Ornge’s mental health patient transport team, which has already provided in-flight mental health care to more than 700 patients in its first year.

Ornge has long been crucial in providing air ambulance services for Ontario’s northern and rural communities, with roughly 98 per cent of its fixed-wing transports originating in the north.

In addition to expanding Ornge’s air ambulance capacity, the Ontario government is also addressing the need for more paramedics.

The province is adding 300 student spaces in paramedic programs this year and has launched the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant to cover tuition and fees for students studying to become paramedics in regions where they are needed most.

With the addition of the two new Special Mission Aircraft, Ornge’s fleet will grow to 14 fixed-wing planes by 2030.

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