Local musicians and business owners in Ottawa's historic ByWard Market are speaking out against what they describe as "ruthless" parking enforcement that's making it increasingly difficult to earn a living in the popular downtown district.
The Cost of Doing Business
Ottawa musician Shawn Tavenier has experienced the financial sting of parking enforcement firsthand. The guitar-playing singer-songwriter has collected several parking tickets this year while trying to perform at local venues. The fines often consume most of his performance earnings, creating significant financial hardship for working artists.
One incident during the Easter weekend last spring felt particularly unfair to Tavenier. After performing at the Chateau Lafayette, he returned the next day to collect his equipment. He parked briefly in front of the York Street tavern, activated his hazard lights, and rushed inside to retrieve the city-issued parking permit designed specifically for musicians loading equipment.
Loading Permit Controversy
The musicians' and artists' loading permit program was established in 2018 after numerous complaints from performers who received tickets while loading equipment. The system requires venue owners to apply online, pay a $50 fee, and then loan the paper pass to musicians performing at their establishment.
According to official city guidelines, each permit allows drivers to temporarily park in loading zones or signed no-parking zones for up to 15 minutes while unattended, in addition to active loading time.
Despite following proper procedures and being gone for less than two minutes, Tavenier returned to find a parking-control officer writing him a ticket. Even when he presented the official permit, the enforcement official refused to recognize its validity.
"The ticket that he gave me was basically for my whole paycheck the day before," Tavenier recounted. "It was ruthless."
Widespread Frustration in the Market
Tavenier isn't alone in his frustration with ByWard Market parking enforcement. The perception that parking-control officers operate with excessive zeal spans from Cumberland to Carp, with many residents and business operators questioning whether enforcement personnel face monthly ticket quotas.
The financial impact is substantial for visitors and workers alike. Parking fines range from $40 to $130 or more depending on the violation, adding significant unexpected costs to what should be simple errands or work commitments.
According to the ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA), there are more than 3,100 parking spaces available within the Market area and another 8,000 spots in surrounding neighborhoods. However, competition for these spaces remains intense, and parking enforcement maintains a constant presence.
"The volume of activity here means enforcement is naturally more visible," explained Victoria Williston, the BMDA's communications manager, in an official statement.
Business owners like Chateau Lafayette co-owner and manager Deek Labelle have joined musicians like Shawn Tavenier in expressing concern that the current enforcement approach creates unnecessary barriers for those trying to sustain the cultural vitality that makes ByWard Market a destination for residents and tourists alike.
