Ontario Making Hospital Parking More Affordable
Rates Cut in Half for Frequent Visitors to Hospitals
Ontario is reducing a financial burden on patients and their loved ones by requiring hospitals that charge more than $10 per day for parking to offer discounted passes that effectively cut the daily maximum rates for frequent visitors by at least 50 per cent.
Premier Kathleen Wynne was at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto today to highlight the discounts, which took effect on October 1. Lowering parking costs by offering discounted parking passes will help people in their everyday lives by saving money for those who need to go to a hospital often, such as for a series of treatments, or to visit friends or family members who are in hospital for an extended stay.
Hospitals with a daily maximum rate of more than $10 are now providing 5-, 10- and 30-day passes that are:
- Discounted by at least 50 per cent off the daily maximum rate
- Transferrable among patients, caregivers and their vehicles
- Equipped with in-and-out privileges throughout a 24-hour period
- Valid for consecutive or non-consecutive days, at the choice of the pass user
- Good for one year from the date of purchase.
About 900,000 patients and visitors per year across Ontario — including 135,000 seniors — are expected to benefit from reduced parking fees.
Reducing the financial burden on patients and their families is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
QUOTES
” The cost of parking can add up quickly for anyone who must go to a hospital for a series of treatments, or to visit a loved one. Requiring hospitals to cut their maximum daily parking rates in half is one of the ways we are helping people in their everyday lives.”
– Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
” When dealing with a health issue, patients and their families should not have the added burden of worrying about the high cost of parking when they go to the hospital. That is why, effective October 1, hospitals will now offer discounted parking passes to frequent visitors. This is part of our government’s commitment to putting patients first and making our health care system more accessible to all.”
– Dr. Eric Hoskins
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
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