The City of Pembroke is extending its free parking pilot project in the downtown core. When the program was originally adopted, it was supposed to run Monday to Saturday from January 1st, 2020 to June 30th. Council agreed to establish a downtown parking pilot project for 2-hour free parking at the meters on Pembroke Street West between Mackay Street and Hincks Street and the associated side streets, excluding Renfrew Street. However, due to COVID-19, the municipal planning committee could not provide a detailed report on their results on how well the project was received. Typically, there is approximately $50,000 in annual revenue that comes from parking meters. However, now that the program has been extended until December 31st, the city will lose another $20,000 in revenue. Despite the figures, a recorded vote of 4-3 was passed with the majority of council felt that this is a good time to support local businesses by getting back on their feet. The global pandemic shut down much of the local economy back in March.