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Quebec seems intent on sticking to its stance on hospital parking fees, which, in some cases, critics have called excessive and abusive. In essence, the government refuses to step in, and says hospitals have the right to set prices to cover the costs of their lots.

Certainly, strained hospital budgets must go toward the “care of patients, not their cars,” as an aide to Health Minister Gaétan Barrette put it. This principle should not be compromised. And yet, other jurisdictions have moved to keep parking rates reasonable without jeopardizing care.

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This week, Ontario announced new directives on parking fees in that province. Hospitals will be required to offer multi-day passes at reduced rates, and those that charge $10 a day or more must freeze their fees. Quebec’s health ministry said it does not plan to follow suit.

Instead, hospitals in this province remain free to set their own fees. The heftiest are charged at the superhospital of the McGill University Health Centre, where the full-day rate of $25 kicks in after 90 minutes.