Squamish letter: No to paid parking

Parking in Squamish is a problem of entitlement, privilege, and sometimes, inconvenience. The District of Squamish (DOS) intends to solve this “problem” by framing paid parking on our public streets and parking lots as a climate solution that is “tourist-based.”

This is misleading. Just like the “tourist-based” no-camping bylaw that targets working locals and visitors (but negatively impacts locals more than tourists), this is paid parking for everyone, tourists and locals alike. A cash grab aimed to profit off others while pricing certain people out, furthering the class divide and the commodification and privatization of public lands.

Increasing the cost of car ownership before alternatives are in place is a regressive approach, as it hurts those who rely on street parking and who are financially struggling while leaving the wealthy and their private parkades unscathed.

Ironically, Squamish vehicle residents have been asking for a paid permit system for years, yet the DOS rejected this idea. In the end, it’s about who is seen as more valuable and desirable, isn’t it?

It is time the DOS address the realities of class and the colonial idea that land is a commodity to be used for “highest value”. Instead of further privatizing public land, focusing on practical mobility alternatives (more buses, bike lanes, a one-stop paid parkade, etc.), may be a better idea.

If paid parking proceeds, a project that will cost tax-payers $600,000-plus to implement and will result in locals having to pay to use the adventure centre and Smoke Bluffs parking lots, it’s time to think about future council candidates who care more about people than helping private parking corporations profit off public land.

We must also consider “democracy” and what that really means. I am referring to Squamish council’s approval of a motion to “prioritize the implementation of a paid-parking pilot”, despite the fact that the survey is not yet complete. Like all DOS surveys, there’s no box to check “no,” leaving no way to show quantitative objection, but in the comments. I will not be surprised that even if survey data shows that the public doesn’t want this, they will proceed regardless in their patronizing “we know better” way.

Squamish is not Whistler, and I’m sure many do not desire it to be so. Please say NO to paid parking.

Thomasina Pidgeon

Squamish