Known as the guardians of the flame, 14 law enforcement officers from coast to coast, including the Yukon, carry the flame of hope through 12 communities.
It's a group decision to prevent further burnout according to Francis. Operating rooms will be reduced from six to four, resulting in 200 canceled surgeries per month.
It's a mounting issue for the town of 900 residents: the Milk River Health Centre not only services the town and surrounding communities but also tourist attractions.
In 2023, the Milk River emergency department closed 30 times lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days. So far in 2024, there've already been nine closures.
“I don't think there is any risk of anyone shutting down, but certainly, people are going to have to be thinking smarter about how they use their water.”