Pollution surcharges and overnight parking permits to hit every neighbourhood in Vancouver if council approves climate-based plan
Some drivers may be paying more in Vancouver, including a steep so-called “pollution surcharge,” if recommendations outlined in a report being brought to council next week are accepted.
The report, titled "Climate Emergency Parking Program,” first recommends widening the city’s overnight parking permit program to all residential streets, in order to create a level playing field for the proposed pollution surcharge.
Right now, only about 10 per cent of city streets are regulated.
The new permit would cost $43.29 a year, before taxes, with a reduction to $5 for low-income households.
The report, from the city’s general manager of engineering services, also recommends council adopted a new overnight permit pollution surcharge, which would apply to certain 2023-and-later-model vehicles classified as moderate or high polluters.
For example, drivers of most gas-powered luxury sports cars and SUVs, the report said, would face a surcharge of $1,000 a year to park on city streets between midnight and 7 a.m.
Vehicles from the 2022 model year or older – plus those specialized for wheelchairs – would be exempt.
A $500 fee would be added for vehicles deemed "moderately polluting," including "sporty" sedans and more efficient small SUVs.
City Councillor Lisa Dominato, who said she had concerns about the proposal from the beginning, called it “regressive.”
“What I’ve heard from residents and the public is that they really feel this is a punitive measure on the part of the city and they’re really being nickel-and-dimed,” Dominato said, adding that she would oppose the changes at the meeting next week.
Councillor Adriane Carr, however, called the plan a necessary step to tackle the climate emergency.
The city's goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent over 2007 levels, and this proposal says the parking surcharge program – a form of a carbon tax – would achieve about 7 to 14 per cent of that.
“The real point here is changing consumer behaviour,” Carr said.
“If you can afford to buy an SUV or high-end sports car that may well run you over $100,000, but certainly $80,000 and up, I think a $500 or $1,000 fee is not very much,” she said.
Carr also pointed out that the plan calls for any revenue to be spent on some element of the city’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, which could include investments in transit or more electric vehicle infrastructure.
The city report forecast a wide spread: Between $44 million and $72 million would be generated between 2022 and 2025, the report read.
The report acknowledges that support so far for the permit change and the pollution charge has been low, though 90 per cent of respondents to the plan said they were concerned about climate change.
Kris Sims, B.C. director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation – who commented on earlier versions of the proposal – called what she referred to as “grand scheme” taxes like this one a “slippery slope.”
“It’s a noble thing to say we want to fight global climate change by nuking drivers for parking on streets in Vancouver,” Sims said.
“What happens when local government decides they’re not taking in enough money? What happens when the local government decides they’re still seeing too many vehicles on the road, and they move the goal posts?”
Sims also urged caution, she said, because often initiatives like this could wind up penalizing people they “aren’t intending to hurt.”
Her suggestion for the city?
“Do better at not clogging up the streets; making sure that the arteries are nice and clear,” she said.
Dominato said she preferred incentivizing Vancouverites to make green choices, rather than penalizing those who don’t.
“Why don’t we look at more carrots instead of sticks in terms of climate response?” she asked.
If approved, the overnight parking permit expansion could be in place as soon as early 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.