Nova Scotia’s health minister already acknowledged the difficulties associated with the province’s new free hospital parking plan. This new effort is aimed at reducing costs and burden on patients and clinical staff. Premier Tim Houston’s government made the pledge for free parking during the fall 2021 election campaign. Since then, this initiative has sparked conversations and raised concerns about how it will be implemented.
After the new government of Premier Houston took office, they quickly implemented a free parking policy. Now, buildings such as the Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General Hospital—both of which are part of the QEII Health Sciences Centre—provide an additional 175 subsidized, on-site parking spaces for their staff. This measure would help reduce the financial strain on our dedicated healthcare workers. According to estimates released in media reports, some nursing and support staff were forced to fork over $72 a day just to park in spaces reserved for patients.
Free parking’s introduction has not come without its own set of complications. It has been widely applauded by advocates. Anger is mounting as unapproved vehicles regularly take up spaces designated for patients and hospital employees. The Nova Scotia health authority has promised to penalize those who abuse the free parking perk. Effective July 20, 2022, Philadelphia intends to start issuing these violators $500 tickets.
Michelle Thompson, Nova Scotia’s health minister, stressed the importance of providing enough spaces for patients while balancing allocations for them with spaces needed by staff.
“What we need to do is strike a balance between an allocation for patients and an allocation for staff and make sure that we have the right mix,” – Michelle Thompson.
Worries about the fiscal sustainability of free hospital parking policies have been surmised in other provinces. In the neighbouring province of Ontario, the New Democratic Party (NDP) is calling on Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government to implement similar action. Well, thanks to NDP member Jeff Burch’s private member’s bill, that could soon change. This bill champions free hospital parking, relieving some monetary stress on patients—every little bit counts.
“We’re talking about a tax on sick people,” – Jeff Burch.
The Ontario government figures that doing so would cost at least $19 million a year in lost revenue, which begs the question of sustainability. Since 2020, Quebec province-wide has offered two hours of free parking and reduced-rate fees at hospitals and clinics. This is a smart way to address the financial concerns while reducing the potential for abuse to almost nil.
In March 2022, the province canceled its two-year free-parking program. This was a hard-fought decision, after motorists had long misused this privilege by parking for non-health care related activities. This experience should act as a canary in the coal mine for Nova Scotia as it continues to chart its course through its own parking policy woes.
She lambasted the federal government for its “short-sighted” policy to allow free parking.
“It was like opening the door a little too soon,” – Sandra Mullen.
Tension is palpable over dwindling parking spaces at healthcare facilities in Nova Scotia. The recently announced policy will require deft implementation to achieve its intended purpose without creating additional problems.
Michelle Thompson, recognition that lack of parking can be a genuine challenge in city cores like Halifax.
“Parking is certainly at a premium in the city,” – Michelle Thompson.
