REGINA — As affordability remains an ongoing topic, one province has recently made parking at healthcare facilities, including hospitals, free.
removed any on-site parking fees, losing nearly $20 million in annual revenue.
This begs the question of whether Sask., more specifically Regina, could follow suit.
As it stands, Regina’s General Hospital andequire visitors to pay $1 for parking every 30 minutes or a maximum of $12 on a given day.
In 2023, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) introduced parking fees for the emergency department area at both hospitals.
At the time, questions and concerns were raised by the provincial government and the New Democratic Party (NDP).
In terms of revenue, the Regina General Hospital from paid parking in 2023. It’s unclear how much Pasqua Hospital has made from fees yearly.
SaskToday reached out to the SHA regarding reducing or removing parking fees. The SHA didn't comment if there had been any discussion on the matter.
However, they noted parking lots have "operating expenses such as snow removal, electrical use, potholes, line painting, winter traction such as sand or ice melting products so that staff, patients and visitors don’t slip and fall."
With constant maintenance and expenses, the SHA prefers to use the fees towards parking infrastructure, letting health care dollars go towards "high-quality service."
In the 2025 budget, Sask. put $8.004 billion towards healthcare,
There is also 60-minute free parking at the Regina General Hospital meant to "provide quick and equitable access for patients who urgently need emergency care," said the SHA.
This drew criticism from NDP health critic Vicki Mowat, who said no one should leave the hospital with a parking ticket.
"When people are at their most stressed and vulnerable, they shouldn’t be forced to pull out a credit card in a packed waiting room, struggle with a parking kiosk or download a whole new parking app," she said.
In April 2020, the SHA suspended parking fees to support frontline patients and workers during COVID-19.
This change only lasted until July of the same year.
