Would you snitch on another driver? Winnipeg Parking Authority mulls photo-based reporting system

Drivers parking illegally in Winnipeg may soon have to smile for the camera, as the public may be empowered to submit photos of violations. Jeff Keele reports.

The Winnipeg Parking Authority wants to study a photo-based public reporting system.

Currently, a parking officer must investigate when a parking violation has been flagged.

However, according to the parking authority’s 2026 business plan, it wants to take advantage of modern technology to free up those officers.

If approved, members of the public would be able to take and submit photos of parking violations, and the parking authority would mail tickets to the vehicle owner based on that evidence alone.

“We are in the very early stages of exploring if we could enforce less serious parking violations using public-submitted photographs alone,” a City of Winnipeg spokesperson told CTV News in an email.

The spokesperson also said this measure could help with enforcement when officers are not available or the reported vehicle is moved by the time they get there.

CTV News asked Winnipeg drivers if they would take pictures and turn in their fellow motorists.

Del Sexsmith said he sees his share of people parked illegally.

“People go into a loading zone because they rationalize they’re only going to be a few minutes… and before you know it they’re actually in violation of the no parking zone,” Sexsmith said.

He said he’d have no problem reporting infractions by snapping a photo.

“I’m very camera-friendly with my phone and if I knew there was a place that it was going that would be taken seriously, I would do it,” Sexsmith said.

Kristina Janzen said she might take a photo if she was walking by an infraction.

“I guess it’s a sense of community accountability,” Janzen told CTV News.

Olivia Olfert admits she sometimes parks where she’s shouldn’t, but added she does that only because there is not enough on-street parking. She said she wouldn’t snitch on other drivers.

“I don’t think it’s fair people penalizing other people just trying to get through their day and park where they have to park,” Olfert said.

Olfert also said paying for parking has become more difficult since the city physically removed the on-street meters and went fully online.

The Winnipeg Parking Authority’s business plan is scheduled to be discussed at the public works committee meeting on Dec. 8.