Ontario Premier Doug Ford slammed both Barrie and Orillia, Ont., on Friday for “price-gouging” after both cities raised their waterfront parking rates for non-residents amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Early in July, both municipalities raised their parking rates for visitors due to concerns of overcrowding at their parks and beaches.
In Barrie, residents require a pass if they want to park at certain waterfront areas, while non-residents are charged $10 per hour, with a daily maximum of $50. In Orillia, municipal taxpayers can park and launch their boats for free, but visitors are temporarily required to pay $50 for each.
“I can’t stand when companies or governments take advantage of people in a crisis and they start gouging these people,” Ford said, adding that he’d talk to Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey and Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop about what’s going on.
On Friday, Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman released a statement, saying Ford’s comments are “disappointing.”
“Perhaps the premier is not aware of the overcrowding problem on Barrie and Simcoe County beaches that has resulted partly from the province’s decision to proceed with a phased reopening,” Lehman said.
Lehman said he’d like to invite Ford to Barrie to view what’s happening and discuss the issue.
On Friday afternoon, Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke acknowledged that price-gouging is an issue but said it’s not happening with the city’s parking rates.
“I would agree with the premier that it’s an egregious issue and really needs to be dealt with severely,” Clarke told Global News. “I can also assure everyone that is not what has happened here.”
The Orillia mayor said the city was faced with “overwhelming and uncontrollable” numbers of people at its waterfront parks, many of whom weren’t respecting physical distancing guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re a community that normally loves our visitors, and quite frankly, we rely on them for many aspects of our economy,” Clarke said, adding that it’d be irresponsible to roll out an “uncontrollable welcome mat” amid COVID-19.
So far, the Orillia mayor said, raising the rates for non-residents has been “somewhat effective.” He believes the city will have a better handle on the parking program’s success after the coming weekend since nice weather is in the forecast.
“If that doesn’t accomplish the goal, then we’ll have to look at other considerations,” he added.
To further combat overcrowding concerns in Barrie, the city will be prohibiting barbecues and tents at its waterfront, beaches, parks and trails starting Saturday.