The Progressive Conservative government made an inquiry to allow private firms to operate various airplanes.
General Employees Union and the government of Manitoba became very upset because of the request, as they are sure that private firms could not provide necessary safety and service. Privatization will greatly worsen the quality of rescue services in the northern regions and in rural areas according to the opinion of Michelle Gawronsky, the president of the union.
Unfortunately, in accordance with federal rules, private air ambulances do not have the right to be at short gravel runways in several communities in the North of Canada. Ron Schuler, Minister of infrastructure, declined the request.
He said that all the contracts will ensure all recommendations about service and safety levels. He also noted that private jet ambulances should get access to short gravel runways.
At the current moment, several private firms actively use air services in some provinces.