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The Alberta government is covering the cost of a new $13-million helicopter as STARS looks to replace its aging air ambulance fleet.

Health Minister Sarah Hoffman, who made the announcement Saturday in Calgary, said the current BK117 helicopters were acquired in the 1980s.

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“It is time to get some new helicopters to keep everyone safe and to make sure that we have the best technology and reliability for Albertans across the province,” Hoffman said.

“STARS has a campaign to buy five new choppers, and today we’re very pleased to say that the Government of Alberta is contributing one of those.”

Hoffman said the $13 million comes from “end-year savings” from last year’s budget.

“I think this is a really important capital investment in the safety of everyone,” she said. “This isn’t new money, but it is money that I had budgeted and we are able to allocate toward this, this year.”

STARS president and CEO Andrea Robertson said the non-profit has been working on this replacement plan for six years.