Yesterday’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation had a full agenda.
We reviewed bylaw changes to some fines and fees. One proposed change would be significant for residents with accessibility needs who have no driveway and depend on an accessible parking spot in front of their home. Until this proposal, that parking spot was provided free of charge and a sign was placed that reserves it for people with the appropriate placard. This new change would charge them a one time fee of $360 to install it, which is the same fee a business or church would be charged.
I didn’t think that piece was fair to people who are more likely to live on a fixed income, and in October 2025 already faced a raised annual fee for the city’s Accessible Parking Permit Program to $100 plus GST, up from the long-standing $20 rate. The total amount it would cost across the city to install these parking spots each year would be roughly $20,000.
As there was no consultation on this, I didn’t think that piece should move forward without input from the people it affects, so I made a motion to pull it out of the proposal and refer it to the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Council on Aging.
We also had lengthy presentations on the 51st Street and Millar Avenue intersection improvements and on connecting Millar Avenue from 43rd Street to Marquis Drive with active transportation improvements. What was clear is the impact on people and businesses in the area could be substantial. Motions were made on both by Councillor Donauer as this is in his ward, and we didn’t spend a lot of time debating it as it will also be debated at Council on October 28.
If this impacts you, or if you felt you had something to contribute but didn’t have enough time to get through all the reports, I’d encourage you to plan to either make a submission or a request to speak to the item so your voice is heard. Submissions need to be sent to the City Clerk by 5pm on October 26. If you’re unsure how to do that, just click on the Meetings tab and follow the instructions there.