The Manitoba government announced the reduction of ambulance fees across the province starting April 1.

Ambulance services for Manitobans will be reduced to either $425 or the pre-existing base fee established by the service provider, whichever is lower.

"Our mandate was to make sure ambulance fees were affordable for Manitobans living right across the province," said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen in a release. "Working with the regional health authorities and other ambulance providers, we are now able to further reduce fees."

Ambulance services and costs are the responsibility of the patient in jurisdictions across the country. In Manitoba, land ambulance services are delivered by a combination of providers including regional health authorities and other service providers.

Ambulance fees vary by the provider offering the service. Goertzen noted Manitoba would continue to work with regional health authorities to further reduce fees over the next three years.