The Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) is proposing to increase the paid parking rates within most BIAs by 34% to $2.00 or more per hour.
"The Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) has undertaken a review of its On-Street Paid Parking Program for 2017 . As a result, the TPA is proposing a number of adjustments to the hourly rates and hours of operation to the on-street paid parking spaces."
Background
"On-street paid parking is important in order to better manage a parking space. On-street parking spaces are typically the most conveniently located, serving areas of high demand and are meant to serve short-stay parkers (considered less than 3 hours at most times).
Changes to the hourly rate and hours of operation for on-street parking spaces are key tools in fairly allocating and managing this scarce resource, by encouraging high turnover and availability of the on-street parking supply.
Proposed Changes
You are receiving this notice because the proposed changes will impact the on-street paid parking spaces in your BIA, specifically the hourly rates are being proposed to change as follows:
- Existing Hourly Rate $1.50
- Proposed Hourly Rate $2.00
Implementation
These adjustments are being submitted to the Government Management Committee on September 25, 2017. The agenda for the meeting will be posted online on September 18, 2017. if you wish to review the full report. If adopted, the item will be considered at the City Council meeting on October 2, 2017. The aforementioned changes are scheduled for implementation between Fall 2017 and Spring 2018, upon approval."
This is a self-serving rationalization for a tax grab.
The reasons given for "managing this scarce resource" are absolute garbage and an insult to one's intelligence. If a high turn-over rate is desired, the meters can simply be adjusted to limit parking to one hour. But that's not the solution because that's not the goal.
The goal is to increase parking fees. The rest is just political spin. By the way, the Toronto Parking Authority generates revenue (profit) for the City. It's not a department that needs city funding for its operations. And, to avoid this tax-grab appearing as a City initiative (which it is), it's dressed up to look as if the proposal is being made by the TPA.
In fact, the TPA does not govern the City or set City policy. The City Council sets policy. But to hide this bitter pill and make it seem that City Council is not involved, the tax-grab is being introduced via the TPA, an unelected body (and therefore, not subject to ill-will).
I'm reminded of a description of politics I once heard... 'politics' is derived from the word 'poly' meaning 'many' and the word 'ticks' meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.
This will hurt all the small mom-and-pop stores in any BIA neighbourhood and must be opposed. In fact, such a move helps the big stores and big plaza operations because they provide free parking. In other words, if a shopper wants to buy a flashlight, the shopper will choose the free plaza parking instead of the small retailer where parking on the street costs money.
Additionally, it encourages on-line shopping, again harming the small retailers who provide a realty tax base for the city. This is a regressive and punitive act against small guys, the middle class, the mom-and-pop stores which contribute greatly to our economy and provide jobs for our residents.
It is counter-productive, prejudicial, unjust and must be vehemently opposed. Why is there no concerted effort by the BIAs to oppose this action?
Where the hell is TABIA?
Answer: TABIA is busy sucking up to City Hall and the Office of Economic Development to which TABIA is cloned.