The District of Port Hardy is not taking no for an answer.At their regular meeting Jan. 12, council discussed a
letter from Health Minister Terry Lake to North Island MLA Claire Trevena stating that pay parking will go ahead
at new hospitals in Campbell River and Courtenay. “Because Campbell River Hospital has been a non-paying
site to date, maintenance and other costs associated with the parking facilities have been born (sic) out of
general health authority funding which can now be better directed to patient care,” wrote Lake. “Island Health
does provide subsidized parking to patients and families in cases where fees may result in financial hardship,
and a social worker connected to the hospital can recommend a financial hardship permit or an alternative
transportation option,” Lake continued. “I still find this somewhat problematic,” said Councillor Fred
Robertson. “The onus is on the person to prove they’re poor,” Robertson said. “I don’t think we should let this
stop,” said Councillor Pat Corbett-Labatt. “We should write another letter,” Corbett-Labatt said, stating that
there is precedent in Delta, Bc, where the mayor has forbidden parking fees.”The true North Island is getting
the raw end of the stick,” said Mayor Hank Bood.” After two and a half to three hours of driving we don’t want to
pay for parking,” said Councillor Rick Marcotte. Council directed administration to send away another letter
asking that hospitals be fee free.
