The Ontario Liberals say they’re getting closer to capping hospital parking fees -- an election promise last year that critics say is long overdue.

Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins says they will soon deliver on their vow to cap the high fees. However, the cap will only apply to people who are deemed frequent users of the hospital parking lots.

And it is still unclear though how the government will define “frequent visitors.”

Parking fees at Ontario hospitals continue to be a financial stress on those who make regular visits – costing up to $30 dollars per day at some lots. Hospitals in Toronto are more expensive than those in rural areas.

The hospitals say they rely on revenue from the parking lots because government funding for hospitals isn’t enough.

Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children draws in $5 million a year from its parking lots alone.

The NDP says the parking charges are a barrier to health care for Ontarians.

“Imagine if you had a sick child and you were having to pay fees 24 hours a day in a hospital parking lot,” NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo said. “It’s really a form of privation of our health care system.”

The Liberals promised in 2014’s provincial election to cap or cut hospital parking fees for frequent visitors and patients.

The Canadian Medical Association says parking charges should be abolished altogether.

With files from CTV Toronto's Paul Bliss.