Steep parking fees reversed for Halifax hospital staff following backlash

After weeks of complaints, staff at Nova Scotia's biggest hospitals will be able to park at work without facing fees of more than $72 a day. 

Parking has been a point of contention at the Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General sites for years, but tempers flared at the beginning of the month when the province announced parking would be free as of May 1.

Employees have always been discouraged from parking at the lots and were charged a maximum of $14.50 a day if they did. But the message was emphasized at the beginning of the month because spaces were at a premium and staff were told patients needed to be the priority.

Nova Scotia Health said at peak times, it needs 4,000 more spaces than are available. 

The move forced some employees to leave for work significantly earlier than their shifts in order to find a spot in the busy downtown. Some who parked at work in desperation were charged $6 an hour, or $72 for their day shift.

The NSGEU, the union representing many workers at the hospital, said that meant some support staff were using nearly half their salaries on parking. 

Brendan Elliott, a spokesperson for Nova Scotia Health, said the authority received about 600 emails from staff since May 1. He acknowledged that the fee was too high. 

"Bear with us, we know that this is frustrating," he said. "It's not realistic for someone to pay so much of their daily income just to go toward parking."

In a memo to staff on Friday, Nova Scotia Health said it will open 175 free spaces to staff who show ID to parking attendants.

On Tuesday, the top two floors of the Summer Street parkade at the Infirmary will once again be available to staff. Prior to the introduction of free parking, those 100 spaces had been designated for carpooling employees. The remaining new free spaces will be at the VG lot.

"This is one of those things that we're going to give it a try and see where that balance is between patients and visitors finding a space, and also seeing what we can do to open up as many places as we can for staff," said Elliott.

That's a good first step for Sandra Mullen, president of the NSGEU.

"Certainly we welcome the fact that there is free spaces for these folks, but it is not enough."

The health authority is also backtracking on the fees. The memo still discourages staff from parking in visitor areas during peak hours. But if they do, they'll be charged a flat rate — the former cap of $14.50.  

Mullen said parking has been a problem for years, and instead of improving the situation for employees, it has only gotten worse. She said this recent debate could have been mitigated with consultation before the plan was implemented. 

"There's still many challenges that still remain," she said. 

The health authority agrees. Elliott said Nova Scotia Health will continue to look for more space for some of those extra 4,000 vehicles. 

"We're scouring the city for empty lots. Or lots that we could take over and assist to try and find more space for staff."

The health authority is also working with the province to enforce a steep fine for anyone caught parking at hospitals who is not an employee, patient or visitor. Those people who abuse the free parking program may be charged $500 a day, but Elliott said there's no timeline yet for when that might be enforced.  

The changes do not include the IWK Health Centre, which falls under a different health authority.