A man from Steinbach has been appointed by Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen to lead a consultation to set up a professional association for paramedics in Manitoba. He is Reg Toews, former head of South Eastman Health.

Goertzen says paramedics agree on the need for such an association. But he notes there are differences of opinion between rural and urban paramedics on some of the details which led him to first go through a consultation process which will be led by Toews.

"Reg has had a lot of experience in EMS (Emergency Medical Services) review generally in the Province of Manitoba, knows the topic very well and has agreed to provide that consultation. He will provide me, as the Minister, either a particular way that we'll move to self-regulation if there can be an agreement among all the parties or some specific options, in terms of how it should proceed, if there is not universal agreement."

Toews is to have those recommendations ready by early spring.

Goertzen says a self-regulated professional association will put paramedics on a par with doctors and nurses and other professions which have rules and standards that include an accountability mechanism.

"That might sound very technical to people and it is very technical in many ways. But it's also very important because it ensures that there's accountability within the paramedic system, it ensures that there are appropriate standards in place and there's accountability within their own profession."

He notes this fulfills a promise made by the Progressive Conservatives during the spring election campaign.