Air ambulance coming to Grand Manan, N.B., this fall

A new air ambulance service is coming to Grand Manan, N.B., in September.

The island, which is located in the Bay of Fundy, has been without an air ambulance service since December 2022.

According to a Thursday news release from the provincial government, a new contract with Voyageur Aviation will station an air ambulance on the island this fall. The agreement will add an aircraft to the provincial fleet and it comes after consultations with the Department of Health and the Grand Manan village council.

“We have been waiting for this and hoping we would have service, medevac service restored to the island," said Mayor Bonnie Morse. "It is a relief to know that the end is in sight and there is a timeline associated with it and we can enjoy having medevac service here again." 

Coast Health & Wellness co-owner Lauren Martin said everywhere she went on Thursday people were talking about the restoration of service.

“Certainly it's a big topic here on the island. Something that I think a lot of community members have really sought a resolution for and this has just been a fantastic sigh of relief for everyone,” said Martin.

Martin and her partner Michael Munro own the island’s only pharmacy and their health-care clinic provides dental, physiotherapy, counselling, acupuncture and other services.

She said not having that access or ability for the past year has definitely caused additional stress for members of the community.

“One of the biggest pieces of having that sigh of relief and that sense of relief for our community is knowing that if yourself, loved one, neighbour, community member was to fall ill or require immediate assistance off the island, then they’ll be able to get that,” said Martin.

Craig Dalton, CEO of EM/ANB, said Voyageur Aviation has been the primary air ambulance provider for New Brunswick for more than 25 years.

The new aircraft will be a King Air 200, which can function in inclement weather conditions.

An air ambulance is pictured. (Source: Medavie Health Services New Brunswick)Ambulance New Brunswick will use a backup aircraft to support Grand Manan until the new aircraft arrives, a temporary measure that is expected to be partially operational in March.

"We've been hoping that something was going to happen," said Morse. "For me to finally have timelines so that we have that commitment that yes, we will see something in March and then by September there will be a plane here, I think to me that's the critical piece and it is just a relief to know that we now have measurables to work with."

The air ambulance will eventually transition to provide 24/7 advance life support services, a first for Grand Manan, according to the release.

Ambulance New Brunswick will also provide around-the-clock paramedic services on the island. 

For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.