As recently announced, our CIUSSS has adopted a new parking lot policy. This means that it will now be mandatory for anyone who uses our parking lots to register for a permit on an online platform managed by the Société Parc-Auto du Québec (SPAQ). The roll-out of this parking system will be done in phases, starting with non-gated parking lots.

In an effort to find out more, the Mosaïk team met with Marie-Chantal Laroche, Director—Technical Services and Infrastructure Projects, and Robin Fiola, Coordinator— Emergency Measures, Civil Security, Fire Prevention and Parking, two key players in this project. 

Can you tell us why it was important for us to adopt the parking policy known as the Politique relative à l’utilisation des aires de stationnement du CIUSSS ODIM?
Ms. Laroche: “Our institution had to comply with the directives set out by the Ministry of Health and Social Services to ensure the sound management of its parking spaces and therefore ensure greater equity among the parking lot users at our various facilities.  Our policy was in fact quite outdated as it had not been updated since 2017. 

It should also be noted that our organization is not alone in introducing such changes.  Other CISSS and CIUSSS have either already, or are in the midst of achieving compliance with the Act respecting Health and Social Services, as far as the use of parking lots is concerned.”

What impact will this policy have on the CIUSSS community (employees, physicians, interns, users, etc.)?
Ms. Laroche: “The aim of this policy is to harmonize the rates across all the parking lots  that belong to our institution. This will level the playing field and make things fair for those who currently pay to use a parking lot and those who do not. This policy will also be an opportunity to enhance parking lot safety and improve maintenance and upkeep.  

There will now be only one way to obtain a parking permit. You will be asked to register on a web platform managed by the SPAQ.  During phase 1, which will end on June 14, all employees, managers, physicians, medical residents, interns and foundation members who use non-gated parking lots will have to register on the SPAQ’s platform in order to get a permit.”

Can you talk to us about the SPAQ, the partner involved in this project? 
Mr. Fiola: “The SPAQ is a major player in this space, with extensive experience managing a large number of parking lots at CISSS’ and CIUSSS’ across the province.  It should be noted that the SPAQ has previously managed some of the parking lots at our facilities.” 

With the changes that are expected as a result of this policy, will there be support for those who use our parking facilities? 
Ms. Laroche: “They will be able to contact the SPAQ (see the various contact numbers in the "Parking" section)  for questions relating to the registration process and access to our parking lots. For all other questions, they can simply write to: stationnement.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca. »