Canadian cities gave out more than 5,409 free parking passes to council members and staff, according to information gathered by think tank SecondStreet.org.The data comes at the same time city councils across the country are declaring ‘climate emergencies’ and introducing policies that phase out the use of fossil fuels and are asking residents to get on their bikes to work, walk, or to take public transport..The passes include access to city parkades and parking lots as well as permits allowing council members to park free of charge at metered parking anywhere in their city..“City politicians were maybe too busy focusing on how to get the public to stop using cars that they forgot to give up the free parking passes they take from city hall,” said Colin Craig, president of SecondStreet.org.. Summary of Free Parking Situations table .“We thought we would flag this as a constructive option for cities to consider. If council members had to pay for parking it might encourage some to ride their bicycles or use transit instead.”.“We don’t begrudge elected officials for receiving a free parking spot, but if they’re going to declare a climate emergency and pressure the public to use transit, then giving up their free parking pass is a logical policy option to consider.".“Obviously politicians sometimes have to drive around for their jobs, but so too do real estate agents, delivery drivers, handymen and all kinds of other professions. What councillors could do instead is expense individual parking expenses like everyone else.”.Calgary’s disclosure did not include council’s parkade and metered passes..SecondStreet.org’s primary research on the topic focused on municipalities that declared “climate emergencies” and called for the “phasing out” of natural gas and electricity or natural gas usage outright.
Canadian cities gave out more than 5,409 free parking passes to council members and staff, according to information gathered by think tank SecondStreet.org.The data comes at the same time city councils across the country are declaring ‘climate emergencies’ and introducing policies that phase out the use of fossil fuels and are asking residents to get on their bikes to work, walk, or to take public transport..The passes include access to city parkades and parking lots as well as permits allowing council members to park free of charge at metered parking anywhere in their city..“City politicians were maybe too busy focusing on how to get the public to stop using cars that they forgot to give up the free parking passes they take from city hall,” said Colin Craig, president of SecondStreet.org.. Summary of Free Parking Situations table .“We thought we would flag this as a constructive option for cities to consider. If council members had to pay for parking it might encourage some to ride their bicycles or use transit instead.”.“We don’t begrudge elected officials for receiving a free parking spot, but if they’re going to declare a climate emergency and pressure the public to use transit, then giving up their free parking pass is a logical policy option to consider.".“Obviously politicians sometimes have to drive around for their jobs, but so too do real estate agents, delivery drivers, handymen and all kinds of other professions. What councillors could do instead is expense individual parking expenses like everyone else.”.Calgary’s disclosure did not include council’s parkade and metered passes..SecondStreet.org’s primary research on the topic focused on municipalities that declared “climate emergencies” and called for the “phasing out” of natural gas and electricity or natural gas usage outright.
