Vancouver city council axes city-wide parking permit plan, mayor casts deciding vote
Global News
In a statement issued immediately after the vote, Stewart said he voted against the proposal because he felt it would unfairly affect lower-income residents.
A controversial proposal for city-wide residential parking permits as a part of Vancouver’s climate action plan failed Wednesday night, with Mayor Kennedy Stewart casting the deciding vote.
In a statement issued immediately after the vote, Stewart said he voted against the proposal because he felt it would unfairly affect lower-income residents.
“It would have asked those renting basement suites or working in vehicle-dependent jobs to pay more while asking homeowners with private parking to pay nothing,” Stewart said.
“An effective climate plan must be just. I’ve asked staff to find a better way forward and I am confident they will.”
The proposal essentially split council down party lines. The five other votes in opposition all came from councillors elected in the 2018 election under the Non-Partisan Association banner (the majority of whom have since left the party).
Council’s Green, COPE and One City members voted to back the plan.
“The very real cost will be born by our residents in an already unaffordable city,” Coun. Colleen Hardwick said in casting her no vote.
“What this means is taking more money out of the pockets of our residents pure and simple.”