There are only a few more days left to take part in the City of Vancouver’s Climate Emergency Parking Permit (CEPP) survey. The deadline is July 5, 2021.

The CEPP proposes that drivers who own 2023 or newer gasoline-powered vehicles, such as luxury SUVs, sports cars or large pick-up trucks, pay a pollution charge of $1,000 annually, and those driving moderately polluting gas-powered sporty sedans or more fuel-efficient small SUVS pay $500 each year. Those purchasing new low or zero-emission vehicles would pay no pollution charge.

The same plan would see homeowners and tenants who park on the street pay a flat fee of $45 a year, as part of the overnight parking permit zone proposal. Visitors who park on your block would pay $3 if they stay past 10 pm or arrive before 7 am. If approved, there is no guarantee you will be able to park in front of your own home or even on the same block.

Opinions on the CEPP vary widely. While most Vancouverites support the idea of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change, not everyone agrees on how to do it. Many critics contend that the fee is nothing more than a “cash grab” by the City, while others say it will hit those who can least afford to pay another fee in one of the world’s most unaffordable cities.

Cllr. Colleen Hardwick has said the scheme would become another revenue source for the City and won’t “keep a diesel truck off the road, electrify a city vehicle, or plant a tree,” while Cllr. Lisa Dominato believes the charge is unfair to lower-income earners such as renters. As well, Dominato is sceptical of the pollution fee, which she says may not necessarily reduce pollution.

Given that hybrid and fully electric vehicles are still more expensive than their gas-powered alternatives, the proposed pollution charges may have the unintended effect of keeping dirtier burning engines on the road longer, as owners delay the purchase of more expensive electric vehicles. 

And some say the City’s move to eliminate parking minimums in all new buildings — in an effort to reduce emissions from both construction and the use of vehicles— gives an unfair cost advantage to developers, and could create havoc on local streets as renters, shoppers, homeowners and service vehicles compete for parking spaces.

Paul Storer, the City’s Director of Transportation, argues that the CEPP would “substantially reduce emissions” and help the city hit its climate emergency targets. The City’s website says the CEPP would raise $60 million over the first four years, and that funds generated would be used to improve sidewalks, add buses, and build charging stations for electric vehicles.

If approved this fall, the City would need to hire a legion of new employees to police the new system, which would be costly. It plans to use a licence plate recognition technology to enforce it and has already put out calls to potential providers. Some are wary of this type of technology, citing privacy issues.

In addition to taking the survey, you can contact City Councillors with questions or concerns.