Thread by @christineeboyle

This week Vancouver Council will vote on a proposal for a new parking permit program & pollution charge, which would help fund equity-focused climate & transportation improvements across the city.

It’s stirred up a lot of conversation & misinformation. Here’s some more info👇🧵

Right now in #Vancouver not everyone has equal access to public transportation, safe & accessible pedestrian infrastructure, EV charging, street trees & other climate-resiliency amenities.

The parking permit program is a key part of how we would change that. #VanPoli 2/

The first part of the proposal is a *Pollution Surcharge*. It would only apply to new, higher emission vehicles, like a luxury SUV, purchased in 2023 & later.

Zero emission & hybrid vehicles, accessibility adapted vehicles, and lower-emission economy vehicles would be exempt.3/

The pollution surcharge wouldn’t apply to a vehicle you already own. And residents who rely on a vehicle for work or care, and can’t afford an EV, won’t pay it.

It's designed to influence those who can afford to make lower-emission choices, without penalizing those who can’t. 4/

The second part of the proposal is an *Overnight Parking Permit* for anyone parking their vehicle on residential streets between midnight and 7am. The overnight permit would cost $45/yr, or $5/yr for low-income residents. And a $3/night overnight pass for occasional visitors. 5/

There are significant inequalities in our current transportation system.

The parking permits & pollution surcharge will raise $44-72M over 4 years, funding critical investments in services & amenities to address those inequities and help us achieve our climate goals. 6/

These investments include:
♿️ Addressing the backlog of curb cuts
🌳 Planting trees in neighbourhoods with less tree canopy
🚌 Improving bus speed & reliability
⚡️ Public access to EV charging
🚸 Traffic calming around schools
🌏 And more 7/

You will hear Cllrs who don’t support the proposal say that we need carrots before sticks. I wish we had the luxury to take that approach.

Decades of insufficient action have left us in a position where we have to act now, with a focus on supporting those struggling most. 8/

In Vancouver, the same Cllrs who have criticized this proposal have voted against tax increases to invest in public services & climate action.

There is no magic here. Either we take the severity & urgency of #climatechange seriously, and put real plans on the table, or we don’t.

When you hear Cllrs say they don’t support this proposal, ask them how else they will fund the investments we need.

If you hear Cllrs say we can reduce our emissions in other ways, ask them what policies, supported by experts & within local jurisdiction, they are proposing. 10/

I know that this proposal will be contentious. As @DonaldShoup says, “All parking is political”.

But the benefits, improved accessibility, safer streets, faster bus service, more street trees, less vehicle noise & less pollution, will improve life for ppl across Vancouver. 11/

This summer BC was burning. Hundreds of ppl died during an unprecedented heat wave. Doing nothing, in favour of some imaginary alternative, is no longer acceptable.

We need to invest in a safer, cleaner, more accessible transportation system for all. 12/ wildernesscommittee.org/take-action/ke…