The City of Regina has $7M in unpaid parking tickets: Here’s what could happen with the cash, if it had it

The City of Regina is losing millions in unpaid parking tickets forcing council to raise parking rates and fines. Donovan Maess reports.

Regina drivers have racked up approximately $7 million in unpaid parking tickets, according to city officials.

The number came up during budget deliberations in December, as councillors debated where to save cash and how to generate more revenue.

“Our main mode of collection is through a collection agency,” said Faisal Kalim, city director of community standards Dec. 18, 2025. “After the ticket is deemed convicted in court, it turns into a collectible for the city. And we send them to a collection agency.”

“We send out a number of pieces of mail, etc. But beyond that, we send them to a collection agency and there’s impact on their credit,” he added.

CTV News attempted to set up an interview with the City of Regina on the issue but one could not be accommodated.

Where could the money go?

In a budget which councillors approved a 10.9 per cent property tax hike, the largest single-year increase in the city ever, $7 million could be useful for the City of Regina.

If the outstanding fines were paid in full, that increase may have been about 8.7 per cent – saving the average Regina resident between $4 and $5 per month on their city expenses.

The cash could also fund more than 90 per cent of the $7.741 million Regina Police Service’s capital budget for 2026.

There is truly no limit to where the cash could be allocated to, but options including putting the money into depleted reserves, funding planned infrastructure and capital projects or towards utility operations also exist.

Last month, Regina city council signed a resolution asking the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) to explore alternative revenue tools for municipalities, including new or improved taxation options.

“The biggest thing is just trying to find a way to not solely rely on property tax as a source of revenue for the city,” Mayor Chad Bachynski said Jan. 22.

Ticket fines to increase

The shortfall in paid tickets comes as parking penalties are set to increase.

As part of budget deliberations, council passed amendments to increase fines a flat rate of $10.

“The feedback we get from residents is that the fine amounts we’re at right now is an adequate disincentive for people to park legally,” Kalim told councillors. “As a matter of fact, we get a lot of feedback our tickets are too high.”

Most parking tickets, like expired meters, are currently $30 if the offender pays within 14 days of its issuing. The fine increases to $65 if after 14 days.

Fines for more severe violations, such as illegal parking in an accessible stall, can be higher, with potential fines reaching $200 or more.

“Other provinces have it where you [can’t] renew your licence, if you have an outstanding ticket or fine?” asked Ward 1 Coun. Dan Rashovich.

“Requests or dialog has happened on many occasions with SGI and they have always turned us down,” responded acting city manager Jim Nicol. “So unless they were directed at some level by their political masters to at least give this consideration, we just keep hitting a brick wall on this.”

In response to CTV News, SGI says provincial legislation would require amendments to allow it to enforce such penalties like refusing to renew driver’s licences or vehicle registrations because of unpaid municipal parking tickets.

“This is not something SGI is considering at this time,” a spokesperson said. “Implementation and ongoing operation would result in a significant financial cost to SGI, which would have to be passed on to customers.

“SGI’s mandate includes issuing driver’s licences, registering vehicles and seeking to improve traffic safety; enforcement of parking tickets is not related to this activity. Refusing to renew driver’s licences and vehicle registrations for unpaid parking tickets would likely result in more uninsured motorists on the road, and that is not a risk SGI nor the Government of Saskatchewan is willing to take,” the statement added.

The city also has the power to immobilize or tow vehicles and issue warrants for collection of outstanding fees.

“It is very, very controversial for the community,” Kalim added. “The scrutiny the city gets in terms of parking and parking enforcement, certainly these changes, myself and my team will hear about it. And it will have an effect on the vibrancy of the downtown core.”

No more meters

On top of fines increasing, hourly parking fees will also increase following council approval during deliberations.

Current parking meter rates are $2/hour. The council approval will make it $2.50/hour.

“If we are going to raise our fees on transit, we need to raise our tax on parking as vehicles as well,” said Ward 5 Coun. Sarah Turnbull, who introduced the motion to increase parking fees and fines.

Not only will fees and fines increase, but the city will be removing all physical meters from the downtown as it transitions to a fully electronic form of payment.

The city already has online options to pay through the ‘PayByPhone’ app. Pending final bylaw approval, that will become the sole way to pay.

• City of Regina introduces PayByPhone for downtown parking

“Changes will not come into effect until an amending bylaw is passed by Council, which will be considered at the meeting in March,” a city spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday.

Based on budget deliberations, all changes, including parking fees, fines and removal of meters, are expected to come into effect April 1, 2026.