Barrie South Innisfil Member of Parliament John Brassard is criticizing a new parking policy at his constituency office located at 480 Huronia Road in Barrie.
Calling it “a heartless cash grab” that punishes people who are struggling financially; starting November 1, lift gates will trap vehicles inside the parking lot until a $4 fee is paid even for short medical appointments or visits to Brassard’s constituency office.
“This is disgraceful,” said Brassard. “People are already being crushed by the cost of living, and now they are literally being locked in and extorted to pay just to see their doctor, get an ultrasound, receive physiotherapy treatment, pick up a prescription, or access government services. There is no other building in south-end Barrie that does this. They are even charging each employee $40 a month to park, Brassard stated”
“It’s bad enough that people are being asked to pay to access essential services,” he said. “Locking them in until they pay up to greedy building owners makes this policy even more cruel and completely out of touch with the struggles families are facing.”
Brassard’s office helps thousands of residents each year, including seniors, newcomers, and families in need, with programs like passports, pensions, immigration applications, and tax issues. The building also houses essential healthcare providers, including the Huronia Urgent Care Clinic, Georgian Radiology Consultants, Eagle Ridge Pharmacy, CBI Health, and the Community Nursing Clinic.
A 15-minute grace period is being allowed however Brassard notes that it is virtually impossible for anyone to complete a medical appointment or access government help in under 15 minutes, meaning almost every visitor will be forced to pay.
Brassard said the policy was implemented with very little notice to the businesses and services in this complex. “I’m really concerned for the businesses as well. Some owners had recently extended leases with no indication that this change was coming and now they’re worried about customers or patients who have choices to go elsewhere where they are not being extorted to pay for parking by greedy building owners.
“Every day I talk to people in Barrie South-Innisfil who are stretched to the limit because of the affordability crisis” Brassard said. “Now, just for trying to get the help they need, they’re being forced to pay. It is outrageous, it is shameful, and I will not stop fighting until this policy is changed or scrapped altogether.”
