More Affordable Hospital Parking Coming to Mississauga

Here’s some great news for all Mississauga citizens who need to be at the hospital frequently, whether for treatment or to visit ill friends and family members.

The province is reducing hospital parking fees for patients, their loved ones and their caregivers with the introduction of new 5-day, 10-day and 30-day parking passes. The passes, provided by hospitals that charge more than $10 a day for parking, will be:

• Discounted by 50 per cent off their daily rate
• Transferable between patients and caregivers
• Equipped with in-and-out privileges throughout a 24-hour period
• Good for one year from their date of purchase

According to a statement released all the way back in January, the province said it has consulted with patients, patient advocacy groups, hospitals and the Ontario Hospital Association to find a plan that reduces the financial burden of parking fees for patients and their visitors.

The province is expecting 900,000 patients and visitors (including 135,000 seniors) to benefit from the reduced parking fees each year.

"Parking fees should never be a barrier for patients when they go to the hospital,” said Eric Hoskins, minister of health and long-term care. “By making parking more affordable for patients and their loved ones who visit the hospital often, we are helping to reduce the burden of parking fees and putting patients first."

In addition to the new passes, the government is directing hospitals not to raise their daily parking rates for the next couple of years.