Vancouver mayoral candidate vowing to make metered parking free on Sundays, holidays

VANCOUVER – Mayoral candidate Kirk LaPointe says if he becomes the city’s next mayor, he will ease the restrictions on some of the parking.

On Wednesday LaPointe said an NPA government will make metered street parking, outside the downtown core, free all day on Sundays and statutory holidays.

He said they will also reduce meter times and make them end at 8 p.m. rather than 10 p.m.

A spokesperson for the NPA said the boundaries of “the downtown core” would be established in collaboration with the city, local neighbourhoods and businesses.

“The extended times were brought in for the 2010 Olympic Games, but they have stuck,” said LaPointe in a press release. “It’s nothing more than a way to gouge motorists.”

“There’s no reason Vancouverites should pay for parking that late into the evening.”

LaPointe also said the current rules punish many people who need to get around by car in Vancouver and small businesses whose customers include motorists.

“Gregor and the Vision machine don’t accept the fact that sometimes driving is the only option for many people,” said LaPointe in a release. “They want Vancouverites who rely on cars to pay up.”

“Forcing metered parking on the city 365 days a year is a money grab. The NPA wants to add to the liveability of an extremely expensive city by giving Vancouverites, particularly its vulnerable residents, a break.”