A new petition to eliminate parking fees outside the Health Sciences Centre is starting to gain traction.
With over 400 signatures, and more coming, Dennis Alexiuk took his plan to change the way people park at the HSC to the Manitoba legislature on June 29.
Alexiuk lost his granddaughter Candice to cancer just over a year ago. During her treatment, he had to pay for parking nearly every day for two years, and he wants to finally change the system.
“They know anyone who is going to the hospital, is not going there for a party. They’re attending a family member, neighbor or friend, that needs to have comfort and support,” said Alexiuk.
The NDP tabled the petition yesterday, and the party’s health critic, Matt Wiebe, says the subject will be a high priority moving forward.
“I think it’s important for people who are at the lowest point, their toughest point, being with a loved one, we need to make sure they get a break,” said Wiebe.
The push is welcome news to people like Jonathan Dumas, who travelled all day to bring his wife to the HSC. She went into a coma after giving birth, and in the past week, Dumas and his family have paid hundreds in parking fees.
“It would be a lot better for people to go visit their family members, and not to come worry about getting a ticket,” said Dumas.
Alexiuk is planning on reminding the province of his concerns by bringing a new petition, with even more signatures, to the legislature soon.
