If parking at Ridge Meadows Hospital is ever free, the community will owe a debt of thanks to Russ Curnew.
Curnew is part of the group of musicians known as the Rx Rockers who got front page coverage in The News and other media exposure after the band members were all ticketed while playing a free Christmas concert at Baillie House – despite the fact they all displayed parking passes.
The issue was part of a growing conversation about the rising costs of hospital parking, and the aggressive enforcement of it.
Curnew was ticketed in December. He and the band members managed to get the tickets fixed, but since then he has personally lobbied every local politician who will listen to him, and even some who won’t.
“I think they’re hoping that old age will set in, or I’ll go off into the sunset,” he said. “I’m going to stay on them.”
He is especially encouraged by a recent response from Delta Mayor Lois Jackson. Her municipality has banned parking meters with a local bylaw, effectively saying “no” to both the Fraser Health Authority and TransLink.
Curnew saw her interviewed as part of a recent CBC documentary that looked at the issue of rising hospital parking fees across Canada, and whether they represent a barrier to health care. He wrote her.
Jackson wrote back to Curnew, saying:
“It was a simple choice for us in Delta. We simply passed a bylaw which banned parking meters and parking fees for public zones in our community.”
Jackson’s personal view is that it is not acceptable to pay $6.50 for a half hour of parking at Vancouver General Hospital, and she said sick people need family and friends around them to contribute to their recovery.
“I, along with so many others across Canada, have had too much experience, with family being confined to hospital and having to dash out to pay the meter… or many who can simply not afford to attend during various parts of the visitation day,” wrote Jackson. “I have had many people respond all across this country and you are on the right track!!”
Curnew said he is encouraged by her response, and feels more than ever that the answer lies with local government.
“I give her credit – for putting a bylaw in place, and standing up to the bureaucracy,” he said.
MP Randy Kamp recently returned an email message from Curnew, noting that the government is transferring $30 billion per year to the provinces for health care, which is a 50 per cent increase from when they took office in 2006.
“I would encourage you to voice your concerns to the appropriate elected officials, and when I next have the opportunity, I will do so as well,” wrote Kamp. “ It seems reasonable to me that a system to reduce the hassle of paying parking fees while keeping vehicles rotating through the available spots can be developed.”
A CBC Marketplace program, entitled “Hospital Parking Pain” found 72 per cent of patients asked say hospital parking fees add stress to their visits, and 52 per cent say the fees effect how often and how long they will visit the hospital.
Another 14 per cent said it stops them from volunteering at the hospital. There were 1,077 people surveyed.
It has already been reported that Fraser Health keeps all parking revenue while parking management firm Impark retains ticket fees. However, CBC had a former Impark employee who stated the company also offers its ticket officers the incentive of a commission on each ticket issued.
Curnew has said overzealous tickets are what make hospital parking untenable.
The report also quoted Dr. Bob Winston of the Abbotsford Cancer Centre as saying parking fees are “A penalty for having a disease,” and “a tax on my cancer patients.”
The latest report, other press that the issue has received, and encouragement from the likes of Lois Jackson, has strengthened Curnew’s resolve.
He wants the issue brought to local council for debate.
Mayor Ernie Daykin has asserted that he would like to work with Fraser Health on the matter, and he is sympathetic to the fact that the Fraser Health parking lots in Maple Ridge generate approximately $500,000 per year for the health authority, which pays for lot maintenance ($78,000 per year) and the balance goes into the general budget for health care.
Daykin said district hall staff has been directed to look at options.
“The reality is, it’s basically provincial and health authority jurisdiction,” he said. “It seems we’re limited in what we can do.”
Curnew is optimistic the issue will come before council eventually.
“I’ll keep hammering away at them. Something’s going to happen, it just might take time.”