Holiday shoppers can park for free in some south Mississauga areas starting Thursday
Published November 22, 2021 at 9:11 am
Mississauga holiday shoppers can once again park for free in Port Credit and Clarkson starting this Thursday as they whittle down their gift lists over the next month or so.
The move by the City of Mississauga to waive on-street parking charges from Nov. 25 through Jan. 14, 2022 in specific parts of south Mississauga will also help shops, restaurants and other businesses as they recover from the devastating financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials say.
A similar parking fee holiday helped businesses in those areas last year as well.
Free parking this holiday season! The Port Credit BIA in partnership with the City of Mississauga is offering you free complimentary parking from Nov 25th, 2021 to Jan 14th, 2022 on our Main Street, from Maple Ave to Beechwood Ave. #freeparking #portcreditbia #parkinginpc pic.twitter.com/W4JdwCPf6C
— Port Credit BIA (@Portcreditbia) November 15, 2021
“Whether a shop or restaurant, the (financial) devastation there last year was unbelievable…and the fee holiday that was put through, for those that were able to just limp by and do some business, it was of huge, huge help,” Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko said at the most recent meeting of general committee, where the plan was unanimously approved.
“It definitely meant the difference between some people continuing to stay open in business or not. We’re definitely not out of the woods yet…and I believe this is a small price to pay to help support our local businesses that look forward to it very much.”
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Ward 2 Councillor Karen Ras, who represents Clarkson, agreed, noting it’s important to “give as many opportunities as possible to our local businesses to succeed this holiday season.”
Port Credit and Clarkson BIAs once again asked the City to waive the parking charges in an effort to give area businesses a better chance of competing with shopping malls across the city where customer parking is free.
“The Christmas shopping season is important to the success of the Port Credit and Clarkson Business Improvement Areas, especially this year,” reads a report from Mississauga’s commissioner of transportation and works Geoff Wright that was presented to councillors. “The retail members of these BIAs must compete with shopping malls and plazas that do not charge for parking.”
On-street parking fees will be waived during the holiday season in areas both within and outside Port Credit BIA borders, and within the Clarkson BIA borders.
City staff estimates a loss of revenue totalling $35,000, but councillors agreed it’s a small price to pay to help local businesses.
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