WINNIPEG, MB - October 12, 2012 - Mayor Sam Katz today announced a new program offering complimentary on-street metered parking to veterans.
The program, which must still be approved by Executive Policy Committee and City Council, calls for the City of Winnipeg to provide 20 hours of complimentary parking each year to veterans, in addition to complimentary parking on November 11 (Remembrance Day), April 9 (anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge) and June 6 (anniversary of D-Day).
“Veterans who served in the Canadian Forces are deserving of our respect and admiration,” said Mayor Katz. “I am pleased to support this small gesture of recognition. This is one way for the City of Winnipeg to acknowledge the sacrifices of veterans as they go about their daily lives.”
John Gillis, a veteran of the Korean War and 2nd vice-president of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada, provincial command, says complimentary parking for veterans will be appreciated.
“A lot of veterans go downtown for doctors’ appointments and it will be very nice to have parking looked after,” said Gillis. “This will be a help to veterans and family members accompanying them.”
The complimentary parking program will be aligned with Manitoba’s veteran licence plate program. Winnipeg veterans who have been issued a veteran plate will be eligible to receive one parking coupon book, providing up to 20 hours of parking annually.
Mayor Katz asked the public service to explore a parking program for veterans in April after receiving the suggestion from a caller to a local radio program.