Patients, guests, and employees at Sault Area Hospital in northern Ontario will soon see an increase in parking fees. Effective December 31, the standard exit fee will rise from $6 to $7.50, marking the first adjustment in parking rates at the hospital in a decade.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, Sault Area Hospital generated over $2.2 million in parking revenue, with a net profit of nearly $1.5 million after expenses, primarily attributed to snow removal costs. The hospital’s spokesperson, Brandy Sharp Young, mentioned in an email to CBC that the rate hike is a response to inflation over the past ten years.
Under the Ontario Hospital Parking Directive, hospitals are required to follow a standardized calculation to determine parking rates. For Sault Area Hospital, the calculation allows for rates up to $13 per exit, though the upcoming increase to $7.50 remains below this maximum threshold.
Moreover, 24-hour passes at the hospital will increase by $1.50, while five-day, ten-day, and 30-day passes will also see price hikes. Monthly passes, which cater to multiple daily visits for 30 days, will rise from $66.67 to $83.33 – a pass commonly used by hospital staff.
Despite the increase being below the maximum allowable rate, some individuals, like Dennis Dinelle, manager of Tracy’s Dream charity, are concerned. The charity, which supports cancer patients with parking costs, is anticipating challenges in fundraising due to the hike. Tracy’s Dream, named in memory of Dinelle’s late wife, expects an additional $10,000 in fundraising needs to meet the community’s growing demands.
Comparatively, Health Sciences North in Sudbury charges $8 per exit, while North Bay Regional Health Centre and Timmins and District Hospital charge $7.50 and $6, respectively. Timmins hospital emphasized that parking revenue is crucial for infrastructure investments and safety upgrades, while Health Sciences North highlighted the importance of parking revenue for funding critical patient research.
Overall, the parking fee adjustments at Sault Area Hospital align with inflation and operational needs, reflecting a common practice among hospitals to supplement government funding with parking revenues.