Climate Emergency Parking Program

The final recommendations were presented to Council on October 5, 2021. The report did not pass, failing by a vote of 6 to 5.

For more information, including meeting minutes and a video of the proceedings, click here.

Council on October 5

Staff have developed a recommended program, making changes based on public and stakeholder feedback this summer. Please click the following links to learn more.

• Council report with recommendations
• Phase 2 engagement summary

The report is tentatively scheduled to go to Council on October 5.

• Agenda
• How to watch Council or speak at a meeting

Other supporting materials are available in the Documents section on this page.

To encourage the shift to cleaner vehicles, a new pollution charge is being considered. It would be added to annual residential parking permits for polluting vehicles (starting with model year 2023).

• Residents who choose to buy a polluting vehicle with a 2023 or later model year would pay the pollution charge as part of their permit fee
• Residents who choose to buy a low- or zero-emissions vehicle with a 2023 or later model year would not pay the pollution charge as part of their permit fee
• Residents with vehicles from 2022 or earlier would not pay the pollution charge as part of their permit fee
• Wheelchair-modified vehicles would be exempt and staff are considering other exemptions

The rates being considered are listed in the table below. Most types of vehicles found in Tier 2 and 3 would also be available as Tier 1 ($0) low-polluting options, including almost all economy vehicles and many vehicles suitable for families. Click here to learn more about fuel consumption ratings for existing vehicles.

A new overnight permit zone is being proposed to cover residential parts of the city that don't already require parking permits.

It would enable the pollution charge to be fairly applied across the city, and help fund climate emergency actions.

Residents would need to purchase a permit to park overnight on all residential streets and lanes that are unregulated or signed as ‘No parking except residents of this block’.

• The permit would only be required for residents who park on the street overnight (midnight – 7 am)
• The base permit fee would be about $45 per year, equal the lowest cost in existing permit zones
• Residents in low income households would be eligible for a discounted base rate of about $5 per year.

Visitors and service providers would still be able to park anywhere on the street, just like today.

• Free visitor parking would still be possible between 7 am – midnight
• An overnight visitor parking fee of $3 is being considered between midnight – 7am
• Visitors could pay online or in person at neighbourhood pay stations

Pending Council approval, revenue from this program would be used to fund initiatives outlined in the Climate Emergency Action Plan, e.g.:

• Improving green, low-cost transportation options like walking, cycling, and transit
• Expanding the electric vehicle charging network
• Helping buildings switch to renewable energy

Future budget consultations would provide the public an opportunity to inform more detailed spending. The package of items in the list below provides a sense of what could be funded with $60M:

• Develop 20 km of bus priority projects to improve transit speed and reliability
• Construct street improvements around two transit stations to facilitate safer, easier, and more pleasant transfers and movement
• Install 25 new pedestrian signals to provide safer crossing opportunities and encourage walking
• Infill 100 missing curb ramps to improve accessibility and the walking experience for all
• Plant over 1,000 street trees in underserved neighbourhoods to provide tree canopy for improved air quality and temperature regulation
• Construct 4km of green rainwater infrastructure to reduce flooding, clean rainwater, and prevent pollutants from getting into our waterways
• Install 15 fast charging stations to provide easy public charging opportunities for hybrid and electric vehicles
• Install 500 Level II charging stations with an emphasis on rental buildings