Hospital parking fees a 'big issue' for northern Ontario residents

The Ontario government is trying to make hospital visits more affordable but will that make a difference in Sudbury?

Health Minister EricHoskinssaid Monday that parking rates at hospitals in the province will be frozen for the next three years.

Hospitals that charge more than $10 a day must offer discounts for longer-term users. In Sudbury, the hospital charges $6 per exit a cost Nickel Belt MPP FranceGelinassays is still steep.

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"Too many people in Sudbury have told us that this is a barrier to care," she said.

"They don't go to their physiotherapy appointment because they cannot afford to pay $6 every time. They do not go to the hospital to visit whoever's in the hospital because they can't afford the $6 every time they come out of the gate."

While parking fees may be less in northern Ontario communities, Gelinas said "it is still a big issue for northern and rural areas."

• Parking rates at Sudbury's hospital

Parking fees generate about $100 million annually for the province's hospitals.

At Health Sciences North in Sudbury,gross revenues from parking were approximately $3.2 million last year, according to hospital spokesperson Dan Lessard. He saidthatmoney isused to pay for the construction, upkeep and maintenance of parking lots and help fundhealth care services.