District partners with Queens University on paramedic services research

The project will examine updated demand forecasting, population growth and changing call patterns

The District of Muskoka agreed to partner with Queens University on paramedic research, in the August 20, 2026, meeting.

Council approved a data-sharing agreement with the university to support research into paramedic response performance and future service demand.

Staff reported that the research will be conducted as part of a graduate-level capstone project by a District Paramedic Services employee who is completing a program at Queen's University.

The project will examine three areas of paramedic operations, including an updated demand forecast reflecting population growth and changing call patterns, the impact of Muskoka's aging population on future patient transport demand, and the timing and location of calls to identify current pressure points within the service.

The research is expected to provide additional analysis beyond the District's existing long-term planning work and help inform future decisions about Paramedic Services.

Under the agreement, Queen's University and the student will have access to anonymized District Paramedic Services data required for the research. Personal and identifying information will be removed before any information is shared.

A separate non-disclosure agreement will restrict use of the District's data to the research project and limit further disclosure. The agreements are intended to ensure the information is handled in accordance with privacy legislation and the District's existing data-protection practices.

Staff said the resulting analysis is expected to provide further insight into response performance and future demand while supporting the employee's graduate studies.

The project comes as municipalities plan for changing emergency service demands associated with population growth and demographic changes. By examining where and when calls are occurring alongside future demand projections, the research could help identify areas where pressures on paramedic resources are developing.

Council's approval authorizes the District's Commissioner of Health Services and Chief of Paramedic Services to execute the data-sharing and related agreements with the university and the individual research student, subject to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Health Services and District Solicitor.

There are no direct financial costs associated with the agreement. Data required for the research will be extracted using existing District staff resources and systems.