Transportation in Support of Ongoing or Acute Medical Care

Resolution Category Provincial Scope 14
Subject Social
Year 2012
Status Adopted - Expired
Sponsor - Mover
Warburg, Village of
Active Clauses

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Province of Alberta to provide financial support to municipalities so they can provide transportation for those that require ongoing or acute medical care and/or transportation to larger urban centers.

Whereas Clauses

WHEREAS transportation for low income people is subsidized in urban centers;

WHEREAS the cost of living is lower in rural municipalities;

WHEREAS one of the top priorities of the Alberta Government is that all Albertans have equal access to the best medical services available;

WHEREAS the mission of Alberta Health Services is to provide a patient-focused quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans;

WHEREAS there is an assumption by local governments, transit planners and other key decision makers that all rural and small community residents have access to a personal automobile;

WHEREAS as Canada continues to urbanize, many services are often centralized to serve urban or higher density areas, which can result in less equitable access to these services by residents in small or rural communities;

WHEREAS by 2031 on quarter of all Canadians (Statistics Canada) will be 65 years or older and, if trends continue, there will be a much higher proportion of seniors living in small and rural communities;

WHEREAS the lack of transportation is a concern for those living in rural areas (Canadian Rural Partnerships);

WHEREAS governments (Municipal, Provincial, and Federal) are often the primary bodies charged with finding sustainable transportation systems;

WHEREAS public transit systems in most Canadian communities are funded through a partnership between municipal and other orders of government;

WHEREAS the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) believes that a rising seniors’ population will increase the demand for “community bus” type services to connect residents to shopping, health care facilities, and community centers; and

WHEREAS providing efficient transportation services for seniors can have an added benefit to the wider community since seniors may be able to stay in their homes for longer periods of time which could in turn decrease the demand for long-term care residences.

Government Response

Apr. 10/13-Health

The Alberta Seniors Benefit program provides eligible low-income seniors with a monthly benefit to assist with day-to-day living expenses, including transportation. This assistance supplements federal benefits received from Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. In addition, low-income seniors may be eligible for assistance with the cost of medical transportation through the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program for recurring medical trips greater than 100 kilometres (return trip).

Alberta Municipalities notes

AUMA considers this response.