OTTAWA, ON (May 04, 2026) – St. John Ambulance is excited to announce the renewal of funding through Public Safety Canada to support the development and operation of its national Emergency Management Program. Through this renewal, St. John Ambulance will receive $4.5 million dollars from May 2026 to March 2027.
This renewed investment builds on a previous federal contribution to support the Emergency Management Program and the creation of Emergency Response Units (ERUs). These specialized units are highly trained personnel who can rapidly deploy during national emergencies to provide first aid, evacuation support, psychosocial support, and other critical services.
This funding allows St. John Ambulance to remain on the front lines, providing emergency care and support to Canadian communities in crisis. The Emergency Management Program will significantly expand its response capacity through enhanced training, targeted recruitment, and strengthened operational readiness. This investment will grow a skilled volunteer workforce and ensure teams are equipped to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies of increasing scale and complexity.
The program has already demonstrated significant impact. In 2025, ERUs provided support during several large-scale emergencies, including the Manitoba wildfires. During this response, ERUs were deployed for 67 consecutive days and delivered more than 6,000 hours of service.
“We are proud to work alongside the Government of Canada and our community partners in order to keep Canadians safe during emergencies,” says Martin Gangnier, CEO of St. John Ambulance. “The renewal of this funding ensures we can enhance our efforts to build a program that is ready to support communities when they need it most.”
The Emergency Management Program also includes public education on emergency preparedness, helping communities prepare for natural disasters common to their region, including flooding, wildfires, and other hazards. This outreach ensures that communities, especially those in remote and underserved areas, which are often farthest from emergency services, have the knowledge and tools needed to respond effectively when emergencies occur.
With this renewed support from Public Safety Canada, St. John Ambulance will continue to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities nationwide, helping communities across Canada remain resilient in the face of future emergencies.
About St. John Ambulance
St. John Ambulance is Canada’s leading authority in first aid training and community-based health and safety programs. Our mission is to support communities across Canada by enhancing health, safety, and well-being through training, products, and volunteer services. Annually, St. John Ambulance certifies over 394,000 Canadians in first aid and CPR, equipping them with the skills to save lives and keep their communities safe. Across the country, our dedicated volunteers contribute over 1 million service hours annually, offering medical first response at public events, comfort through therapy dog visits, and critical support during emergencies and disasters. To get involved, learn more at www.sja.ca
Contact:
St. John Ambulance National Office
613-236-7461