Free parking for veterans starts in Vancouver

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Veterans can now park for free in Vancouver for the next year.

As of Tuesday, drivers with veterans’ licence plates can park for free at meters and EasyPark lots within Vancouver, according to the bylaw.

Council approved a pilot project on Oct. 22. Previously, veteran plate holders were allowed to park for free during the week leading up to Remembrance Day.

“Veterans will still need to obey posted time limits, but can park for free during the allowed time,” says a release from the city.

“It’s a small gesture of thanks for those who put their lives on the line for our rights and freedoms,” Coun. Melissa De Genova wrote in a tweet.

FREE PARKING for #VETERANS PASSEDIt’s a small gesture of THANKS for those who put their lives on the line, for our Rights & Freedoms. Grateful to @PtFry for working together to get this done! #Vancouver #Respect pic.twitter.com/Tpr9M6lwaV

— Melissa De Genova (@MelissaDeGenova) October 22, 2020

Staff are to monitor the pilot project and report back to council next fall.

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Earlier this month, a city staff report advised against the move. The report said although celebrating veterans is important, free parking has financial impacts and incentivizes driving as a way to travel, which goes against the city’s climate goals.

De Genova said then council had a meeting last year and unanimously agreed to give veterans free parking.

–with files from Nikitha Martins and Bethlehem Mariam