Vancouverites urged to give feedback on parking permit proposal amid backlash

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – People in Vancouver are being urged to give the city feedback on its proposed Climate Emergency Parking Program.

“Initially I was glad to hear that it’s just a proposal, and that it hasn’t gone through yet, and that they’re asking for public feedback. So we still have time if folks don’t want to be paying this big, new fee to actually push back on city council, and to say no,” Kris Sims with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said.

The city’s “Climate Emergency Parking Program” proposes Vancouverites who own a 2023 or newer “high-polluting” vehicle — described as a gas-powered luxury sports car, large SUV or full-size pickup truck — would be charged $1,000 per year to get a residential parking permit.

Owners of 2023 or newer vehicles deemed “moderately polluting” — gas-powered sporty sedans or higher efficiency small SUVS — would have to pay $500 for the same permit, if the proposal is approved.

A proposed residential parking permit fee structure being considered by the City of Vancouver (Courtesy: City of Vancouver)

Vancouver’s proposal also includes plans for a new overnight permit. It would cost $45 a year and be required for people to park on all residential streets and lanes that are unregulated or signed as “No parking except residents of this block” between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Visitors would have to pay $3 if they want to park overnight in those areas.

The plan has been described by many as a “cash grab,” while others have come to the city’s defence, applauding it for taking steps to address climate change.

However, Sims says the proposal sets a dangerous precedent.

“I took a look at how expensive it would be, particularly the so-called pollution tax or pollution charge that could be on some new vehicles … that’s a lot of money,” she told NEWS 1130.

“At first it sounds like, oh well, if you can afford a brand-new pick-up truck or a brand-new SUV, why not pay an extra $1,000 to park on the street right in front of your home? But, the moment that we give city hall this opening, it’s only going to be a matter of time before they move the goal posts, and then all of a sudden folks who are driving the less expensive cars, the lower-income people driving the older vehicles, they’re going to get nailed with this.”

The city says electric and “low polluting” new vehicles — such as electric cars, hybrids, and most economy vehicles — would not be charged the fee, nor would any 2022 models or older or specialized vehicles for wheelchairs. Vancouver’s director of transportation, Paul Storer, has argued that the program would “substantially reduce emissions” and help the city hit its Climate Emergency targets. He’s said it would also help “better manage our curb space to serve residential areas.”

However, the Canadian Taxpayers Association argues such a permit system would only add to affordability challenges in Vancouver, adding people will continue to be pushed out.

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Sims also questions how the permit system would be implemented.

“How are we going to know what is a brand-new vehicle and what is not? Are we going to have to hire an army of metre maids that wanders around Vancouver with what? A tablet that scans stickers that would be put on windshields? Do they need to register them all officially with city hall? Do we need to have experts in vehicles to be able to spot what’s new and what’s not? We don’t know, and this sounds really expensive,” she explained. “And unfortunately, administration typically eats up a lot of these costs and fees.”

Sims says there are other ways to address emissions, adding it’s something that should be treated as a national effort.

For example, she says Canada could ship and sell more of its cleaner burning fuels abroad to places in need.

Not only would it help other countries, Sims says such action could also help Canadians by creating more jobs.

The city is accepting public input until July 5.

–With files from Denise Wong