Challenges remain for healthcare staff 1 year after free parking at hospitals, says CFO

It’s been one year since parking became free at Nova Scotia hospitals and according to the CFO of Partners for Care, some challenges remain.

It was May 2025 when the province implemented free parking. It meant healthcare staff would not be able to park at the QEII in Halifax during peak hours but rather in other designated locations.

Part of Christa Ackerman’s role with Partners for Care is to oversee parking at the QEII. She tells us there has always been supply issues in the downtown area, but they continue to explore new ways to increase capacity.

“We continue to always try to offer as much parking for our staff as we can while making sure that we are protecting patient parking access,” says Ackerman.

She says one way to do that was a new parking lot on South Street across from the IWK that opened up 275 spots.

“It was definitely a great addition to the available parking options for staff,” says Ackerman. “We always look to sometimes have temporary access to lots, as well, that will utilize these for different season, if they’re available,” says Ackerman.

At one point, Nova Scotia Health estimated that they were short parking for about 4,000 staff members.

Complaints

According to the NSGEU, many healthcare staff were frustrated after free parking was implemented.

Now, Ackerman says, they are receiving suggestions and feedback on how they can improve what they are doing.

“What they’re seeing in the current lots and how we could potentially improve on that,” explains Ackerman. “Staff have been supportive that way. A ‘let’s make improvements’ mentality from them.”

Other parking options

To help staff with parking options, a new program called Options for Parking and Transportation was formed.

It is a program where staff can choose what type of transportation works best for them but modes that are active and sustainable are encouraged.

This includes biking, carpooling and taxi services.

“There’s about 2,000 staff from the QEII that are registered fort that program versus 624 when we first launched,” says Ackerman. “It’s has been very successful.”