EDMONTON, AB: An electronic petition to the House of Commons to eliminate parking fees at hospitals across the country supports the work that Wildrose has been doing in Alberta to give families a break on hospital parking fees, the Wildrose Official Opposition said.
Wildrose created a petition in August 2016 to end hospital parking fees for the first two hours at hospitals across Alberta. In just a few short months, it has received over 3,000 signatures.
Visiting a loved one in hospital, or having treatment or surgery should not be made tougher or discouraged by having to shell out for what can be very expensive hospital parking fees,” Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said. “This hidden tax is hitting Albertans at a time of enormous emotional stress, and financial stress shouldn’t be an added anxiety.”
Financial information from Alberta Health Services shows that in just one year, hospital visitors paid $75 million in parking fees with over $17 million in profit.
“Providing two hours of free parking is a move that can and should be made to help out Albertans facing health issues and their loved ones who visit them,” Wildrose Shadow Health Minister Drew Barnes said. “I encourage all Albertans to sign our petition to send a message to AHS and the Health Minister that the common sense idea of two hours free parking at hospitals is one that is strongly supported.”