No change coming to hospital parking fees, province says

Ontario hospitals will keep their existing rules around parking lot ratesas Quebec moves to lower or eliminate fees at its health facilities.

The Quebec government announced lastweek it would prevent hospitals from charging for the first two hours of parking and implementa daily cap of between $7 and $10.

For the last three years, Ontario has had a freeze on hospital parking rates. Itcould have expired this month, but the Progressive Conservatives have left in place.

Under the freeze, rates canonly increase at the rate of inflation. Hospitals are alsorequiredto offer five-day, 10-day and 30-day passes with discounted rates.

• Ontario freezes hospital parking rates, offers long-term discount
• Quebec to cap hospital parking rates, make first 2 hours free

Hayley Chazan, a spokesperson for health minister Christine Elliott, said they plan to leave the program as is.

"There are no plans at the present time to revoke the hospital parking directive, created in May 2016 to help reduce the financial burden of hospital parking fees on patients and their frequent visitors," she said.

The daily rate at CHEO, the region's children's hospital, is $14 per day, with a monthly pass going for $90.

The Bruyre hospitals also charge $14 per day, with a monthly pass going for $92.

The Queensway Carleton Hospital charges $14 per day. The monthly rate is $85.

Rates at the Ottawa Hospital's three campuses are similar, with a dailyrate of $13.25 and a monthly rate of $94.

Patrick Moore, a spokesperson for CHEO, said the money raised goes to the hospital's foundation, where it helps pay for thingslike new equipment and space upgrades.

In 2018-19, that came to just over $4.5 million, with a third coming from staff parking, Moore said in an email.

Moore also said the hospitalhas a fund that can cover certain expenses for families in need, andthat can include parking.