Subsection 56(1) Class Exemption for Emergency Medical Technicians Licensed in the Category of Primary Care Paramedics (EMT-I), Intermediate Care Paramedics (EMT-II) and Advanced Care Paramedics (EMT-III) in Prince Edward Island 

Pursuant to subsection 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), Emergency Medical Technicians licensed in the category of Primary Care Paramedics (EMT-I); Intermediate Care Paramedics (EMT-II); and Advanced Care Paramedics (EMT-III) in the province of Prince Edward Island are exempted for medical purposes from the application of the following provisions of the CDSA:

• Subsection 4(1) of the CDSA with respect to fentanyl, ketamine, hydromorphone and morphine.
• Subsections 5(1) and 5(2) of the CDSA with respect to diazepam, fentanyl, hydromorphone, ketamine, lorazepam, midazolam and morphine.

In respect of this exemption,

• Controlled substance means one of the following substances: diazepam, fentanyl, hydromorphone, ketamine, lorazepam, midazolam and morphine.

• Designated Administrator means a person who is in a managerial position (Operations Manager or General Manager) and is ultimately responsible for ordering, transporting, storing and providing controlled substances for an ambulance services operator contracted by the Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Wellness under the Ambulance Services Act in the province of Prince Edward Island.

• Emergency Medical Technician means a person who is registered and entitled under the Emergency Medical Technicians Act and Emergency Medical Technicians Regulations to practice as an Emergency Medical Technician licensed in the category of Primary Care Paramedics (EMT-I); Intermediate Care Paramedics (EMT-II); and Advanced Care Paramedics (EMT-III) in the province of Prince Edward Island and to administer controlled substances as part of the practice of paramedicine.

• Unserviceable stock means a drug product containing a controlled substance that is expired, contaminated, damaged, or any residual controlled substance remaining in a multi-dose vial.

This exemption provides the aforementioned paramedics (Emergency Medical Technicians) with the authority to possess, transport, administer and destroy controlled substances when providing care to patients within their scope of practice as set out in the Emergency Medical Technicians Act and Emergency Medical Technicians Regulations and in accordance with the relevant protocols and guidelines established by the Provincial Ambulance Services Director under the Ambulance Services Act (Prince Edward Island) and subject to the terms and conditions of this exemption.

The exemption is only applicable if the following conditions are met. Paramedics (Emergency Medical Technicians) must:

1. Administer controlled substances in accordance with the protocols and guidelines established by the Provincial Ambulance Services Director under the Ambulance Services Act (Prince Edward Island), the relevant policies established by the ambulance services operator contracted by the Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Wellness, or under the direction of a practitioner designated by the Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Wellness;
2. Keep a record of the following information for a two-year period beginning on the day on which the record is made and provide such a record to the Designated Administrator for record-keeping purposes;
   • the name, quantity, and date of any controlled substance, received, administered, and returned; and
   • particulars of the use to which the controlled substance was used.
3. Take necessary steps, in accordance with policies established by the ambulance services operator contracted by the Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Wellness, to ensure the security of controlled substances on their person and in their emergency vehicle;
4. Report immediately to a Designated Administrator, in the form and manner required by the Designated Administrator, when they become aware of any loss or theft of controlled substances in their possession or in their emergency vehicle;
5. Dispose or return any unserviceable stock to the Designated Administrator who supplied the controlled substances in accordance with policies established by the ambulance services operator contracted by the Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Wellness under the Ambulance Services Act (Prince Edward Island) or the organization that provides emergency medical services with respect to witness and record-keeping; and
6. Obtain controlled substances only from the Designated Administrator of the ambulance operator licensed under the Ambulance Services Act (Prince Edward Island) or the organization that provides emergency medical services with which they are affiliated.

This exemption will remain in effect until the date on which this exemption has been replaced or the date on which this exemption is revoked.

The Minister may at any time and for any reason revoke or change the terms and conditions of this exemption. Should this be the case, you will be informed in writing and reasons for the revocation or changes will be provided.

A suspension of this exemption without prior notice may be ordered if the Minister deems that such a suspension is necessary to protect public health, safety or security.

Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this exemption may, among other things, result in immediate suspension of this exemption, and ultimately, in its revocation.

Signed for and on behalf of the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.

Carol Anne Chénard
Acting Director General
Controlled Substances Directorate
Heath Canada

Effective Date: January 19, 2024