MPP Gates calls for an end to hospital parking fees as Niagara Health increases rates

QUEENS PARK – MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) continued to fight for the elimination of parking fees at hospitals for staff, visitors, and patients, as Niagara Health plans to increase parking rates.

“Parking fees at hospitals should be eliminated, not increased,” said Gates. “No one should be worried about paying for parking at a hospital during an affordability crisis, whether you are a patient, a loved one, a front-line worker, or a doctor. It’s unacceptable and I’ve heard directly from front-line staff at our hospitals who are having to rely on food banks just to get by. These costs they are charged for parking add up when workers are trying to make ends meet.”

A day pass for parking will be increased to $19 from $16, and costs for staff & doctor parking will also increase.

“The reality is, the Ford government has been underfunding health care by billions, while they have created a crisis in staffing that is leading to out-of-control wait times for services”, said Gates. “Ford has forced hospital systems to do more with less. What we should do is eliminate hospital parking fees – for workers, doctors, patients, and families alike- and instead fully fund public health care, so patients can get the care they need in a timely manner.”

MPP Gates called for an end to hospital parking fees at Queen’s Park last month.