In just over one month all Nova Scotia Health facilities will have free parking, but the health authority is remaining tight-lipped about how it will all play out.
In an email to our newsroom spokesperson Keith Corcoran says, “Nova Scotia Health is preparing a plan for government on how to implement free parking. We’re not able to speak to details at this time.”
Free parking at hospitals was part of the provincial budget announced in legislature last week.
The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) says parking has been a concern for their members for a long time, especially in recent months with the QEII expansion.
President Sandra Mullens tells us they’ve been pushing to make things a little more fair for those who work in the city.
“This has been our point all along. Our folks who work across the region in rural hospital settings, who do the same work as the folks who work here, have had a much easier ability to park. Much less cost if it was in fact, paid parking.”
Mullens says, although they are happy all parking will soon be free of charge, the question is – where, in fact, will members in high volume areas park?
“These folks come to work of course…24-hour shifts in many cases. Are those spots going to be filled at 6:30 in the morning? And then, you know, when folks come in [are] they going to differentiate between what’s available for staff?”
Mullens adds, there isn’t enough parking now, so there are some challenges on the way and some rules that will need to be put in place
“Because if all of a sudden you’re driving through the city, and you know that hospital parking is free …who’s to say you’re going into the hospital?”
At this point, Mullens says, their members have not brought up any concerns.
“Certainly, [there will be] a splashy campaign with respect to bringing attention to this matter. But there are lots of questions.”
She adds, she expects more information to come out in March.
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