Beginning on April 1, public parking rates at Alberta Health Services (AHS) facilities across Alberta will be increased by $0.75 in large markets and $0.50 in smaller markets.

According to AHS, this increase is, 'to align with local markets and reflect inflation costs.'

"Specifically, this increase impacts parking at AHS facilities in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Leduc, St. Albert, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, and Fort McMurray," AHS stated.

According to AHS, its public parking rates have not been adjusted in more than eight years.

"The costs of maintaining existing AHS parking structures and building new parking structures have increased, and parking fees must increase to fund these items."

However, the organization said that there are several cost-saving options, including monthly and weekly parking passes; which are available to patients and visitors at facilities across the province, at rates well below market value. There's also the option of compassionate parking passes, available to people facing financial hardship on a case-by-case basis. 

Other options also include volunteer driver programs: available at some AHS facilities, offering free transportation to and from our treatment facilities. 

The news of the cost increases was met by criticism from the Alberta NDP. 

"In the middle of a health-care crisis, where so many Albertans are struggling to access the care they need, Danielle Smith’s handpicked team running Alberta Health Services is hiking parking fees to make it more expensive to access a hospital or visit a loved one," said Luanne Metz, Alberta NDP Critic for Health.

She added that the parking feed should be cancelled.

"Albertans know Danielle Smith always wanted people to pay to see a doctor. Then, in the election, she flip-flopped. Now, on the eve of a budget, she’s hiking parking fees to pay for crumbling health care."

Despite the increase, AHS said that no healthcare dollars go towards parking services at AHS facilities.

"AHS parking is required to be financially self-sustaining, and AHS is responsible for all maintenance costs, as well as the costs for the construction of any new parkades." 

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