Yellowknife, N.W.T - The NWT Association of Communities is concerned about the way ambulance services are provided in the territory.

At their AGM earlier this month the association passed a resolution calling for the GNWT to provide communities with more funding for municipal ambulances because they are often required to service large areas of the territories highways. 

Association president Gordon Van Tighem said that the GNWT does compensate communities on a per call basis.

"The amount that they pay is less than the amount that the community would normally charge for an ambulance response, and in addition to that it doesn't compensate for wear and tear on the vehicle if they're travelling over roads that aren't paved, like a lot of the ones around here."

Van Tighem said there has only been sporadic consideration for these additional costs.

He added that there is an ongoing request for communities to be involved in a committee of territorial government departments that deals with ambulance services.

"I think its puzzling to a lot of the communities how people can meet far away from them and tell them what to do with their equipment without any ability to be involved in the discussion.

Van Tighem said they expect a response back from the GNWT on the issue by the end of July.

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