By Bryn Levy

Saskatoon city council to vote on free parking for Afghan vets

Jun 16, 2014 | 5:37 PM

Men and women who may have driven armoured vehicles through the streets of Afghanistan are one step closer to free parking for their civilian wheels.

Monday’s meeting of the City of Saskatoon’s administration and finance committee passed along a recommendation that city council extend the veteran’s parking program to Afghan vets.

The move came in spite of a report from city administration recommending that the program be left as is.

The program was originally intended as a one-off to mark the Year of the Veteran in 2005. It allows veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War and Canada’s peacekeeping missions who live within a 30 km radius of Saskatoon to park free-of-charge for the posted time on city meters. The administration report noted that the program was extended repeatedly since 2005. A 2010 review of the program had recommended a sunset clause to eventually phase it out as veteran numbers dwindle.

That’s why director of transportation Angela Gardiner said administration made its recommendation against expanding the program.

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“Based on the original intent of the program we recommended to not expand it and not to include veterans of the Afghanistan War,” she said, adding that the program is on the generous end compared to other Canadian cities.

Former president of the 63rd branch of the Royal Canadian Legion John Davidson addressed the committee on the issue.

“We shouldn’t distinguish between veterans and what conflict they served in. They all put their life on the line for our freedoms and our way of life,” he said.

Ward 1 Coun. Darren Hill spoke out for expanding the program during the meeting. He echoed Davidson’s points when asked why he favoured the move.

“It's a simple gesture on our part. It's the least we can do for those individuals that have put themselves at risk,” he said. Hill added that the administration shouldn't be painted as bad guys in light of the report, saying that some of the wording may have seemed callous when taken out of context. He added that the final decision, as always, rests with council.

Currently, the program is estimated to cost about $32,000. Expanding the program is expected to cost about an extra $8000 – bringing the total program cost to about $40,000 per year.

Hill said he didn’t think Saskatoon taxpayers would take issue with the move.

“I have not heard from a single resident in Ward 1 that was concerned about the cost of the veteran's parking program,” he said.

Hill said he was comfortable with maintaining the 30 km radius requirement, despite a request that council also look at extending that to account for vets who come into the city for medical care. Davidson said he hadn’t heard the 30 km rule was a problem from any of his Legion contacts.

Council will vote on whether Afghan vets will be entitled to free parking at a meeting scheduled for Jun. 23.  

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