City pilots parking fees for amenities with low-income option, aims to return revenue to facilities
Pilot to test parking fees for amenities with a low-income option, returning revenue to facilities while bylaw enforcement is expanded under proposed $1M plan.
The city will launch a pilot to test parking fees for amenities that would return revenue directly to the facilities where fees are collected, city staff reported to council. The proposal, part of a broader report on municipal parking and enforcement, also includes a low-income option designed to protect access for vulnerable residents. Officials said the pilot responds to pressure to modernize parking policy and to make sure community amenities cover the costs of their upkeep.
Pilot would charge parking fees for amenities
The pilot would levy modest parking fees at selected municipal amenities, with locations and duration to be determined through the implementation plan. City staff pointed to other major Canadian municipalities where similar models operate, noting Calgary and Vancouver already charge and allocate parking revenue to the facilities that generate it. The measure is being framed as a way to recover maintenance and staffing costs without raising property taxes.
The report submitted to the committee emphasizes that the pilot is experimental and subject to review, with performance metrics to be tracked throughout the trial. Staff said parameters — including hours, fee rates and exemptions — will be refined after stakeholder consultation and a cost-benefit assessment is completed.
Revenue to be returned to local facilities
Under the proposal, money collected from parking fees would be retained by the facility or program affected rather than absorbed into the city’s general revenues. Proponents argue that returning revenue to facilities will create a clearer link between user fees and service improvements, enabling targeted investments in maintenance, security and programming. Municipal officials cited examples where reinvested parking revenues funded upgrades to community centres, parking lots and recreation equipment.
Critics have warned that care must be taken to avoid creating perverse incentives, such as prioritizing parking revenue over programming needs. Staff intend to include governance rules in the pilot to ensure fees are used for facility-related expenses and to limit administrative overhead.
Low-income option to maintain access
City documents stress that the pilot will incorporate a low-income option to reduce barriers to access for residents with limited means. The proposal does not yet specify eligibility criteria, but officials told councillors the aim is to design a simple, low-administration mechanism that preserves equity. Municipal leaders framed the concession as essential to avoid unintended exclusion from community services.
Advocates for social equity and community groups have urged the city to move quickly to co-design the low-income pathway to ensure it reflects local needs. Staff committed to consulting community organizations, facility operators and social services to develop a workable exemption or reduced-rate system.
Enforcement capacity fell from 30 officers to eight
The report also flagged a significant reduction in the city’s parking enforcement capacity, noting the enforcement complement dropped from 30 officers to eight in recent years. That decline, officials said, has strained the ability to monitor parking zones, enforce time limits and respond to complaints from facility users and neighbouring residents. The reduction has been raised repeatedly in committee discussions as a factor undermining parking management and compliance.
Municipal leaders linked the enforcement shortfall to budget reallocations and staffing challenges, saying persistent vacancies and operational changes contributed to the decline. The report warns that without stronger enforcement the pilot’s objectives — including turnover, safety and revenue collection — could be compromised.
Bylaw reports 42 per cent increase in enforcement calls; $1M contract proposed
Chief bylaw officer David Jones told the committee that bylaw services have seen a 42 per cent increase in calls seeking additional parking enforcement, a jump that underscores resident demand for more on-the-ground presence. In response, the city is looking to sign a proposed $1 million contract to deploy additional enforcement officers and augment patrol hours during the pilot. The contract would be a temporary measure to boost capacity while the city evaluates long-term staffing needs.
Council members pressed for a schedule and performance metrics tied to the $1 million proposal, seeking assurances the investment would yield measurable improvements in compliance and user experience. Staff said the contract would include regular reporting to the committee and that the pilot’s success will inform whether the city pursues permanent staffing changes.
Public consultations and next steps
City staff plan a public engagement phase that will invite feedback from facility users, neighbourhood groups and business associations before the pilot is finalized. The engagement will seek input on fee levels, hours of enforcement, low-income eligibility and mechanisms for allocating revenue back to facilities. Officials expect the consultation findings to be presented to council alongside a detailed pilot design and an implementation timeline.
The pilot is part of a wider package of parking and municipal service proposals in the report, and council will consider whether to proceed in the coming months. The city aims to balance revenue recovery and facility maintenance with equitable public access and effective enforcement as it tests the new parking fees for amenities.
