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Ambulance speed restrictions in Canada still stand

Health minister says existing policy ensures patient safety

The Charlottetown Guardian

CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island — P.E.I.'s health minister says she has no intention of lifting speed restrictions on Island ambulances.

Carolyn Bertram met with the Canadian Union of Public Employees for more than an hour Thursday to discuss a request by paramedics to lift the speed limits.

The paramedics claim that speed restrictions put lives at risk.

But Bertram said the existing policy ensures patient safety.

She said the dispute is between Island EMS and its paramedics.

Island EMS now says ambulances with lights and sirens on can only travel between 10 to 20 kilometres an hour over the posted speed limit, depending on the road.

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