(Aaron Derfel/ Montreal Gazette) — Patient-rights groups in Montreal appear to have won a four-year battle to persuade the Quebec government to slash exorbitant hospital parking rates after Health Minister Danielle McCann confirmed on Monday that she will cap rates at $7 to $10 as early as next month.
But patient advocates urged the government to go further and reduce already-discounted rates for cancer patients who go to the hospital regularly for chemotherapy.
“We’re relieved that the rates will go down, but we don’t know when,” said Pierre Hurteau, vice-president of the Conseil pour la protection des malades. “We hope it’s soon.”
An aide to McCann confirmed to the Montreal Gazette that the minister will follow through on an electoral promise to lower parking rates in hospitals and public nursing homes. Patients and visitors in outlying regions will pay as low as $7 a day, while Montreal hospitals are expected to charge a maximum daily rate of $10. (…)