Edmonton is considering a significant shift in how it manages parking at its popular civic attractions, moving away from a long-standing policy of free parking. The push comes as the city grapples with financial pressures and seeks new revenue streams to ease the burden on property taxpayers.
The Call to Review "Free" Parking
Ward papastew Councillor Michael Janz is leading the charge, arguing that the current system represents a substantial hidden subsidy. He tabled a motion on December 4, 2025, requesting a formal study by city administration. "The one service in the city — one of our most expensive services — that we don’t recover any costs from is parking," Janz stated. "Taxpayers across the city are providing an enormous parking subsidy."
He emphasized that free parking is an illusion, with costs being absorbed elsewhere. "There’s no such thing as free parking," Janz said, framing the potential change as "part of the growing pains of being a big city" as Edmonton approaches a population of two million.
Details of the Proposed Study
The councillor's motion calls for a detailed analysis with several key components:
- Calculate the current cost to the city for maintaining free parking lots at facilities like the Telus World of Science and the Valley Zoo.
- Project potential revenue from implementing user-paid parking at these sites.
- Explore a tiered fee structure based on user income to prevent pricing residents out of city amenities.
- Investigate a separate fee scale for non-residents whose vehicle use adds wear and tear to Edmonton infrastructure.
Janz pointed to the timing of the Valley Zoo's planned new parking lot construction as an ideal opportunity to rethink the model. He noted that the city already provides annual monetary contributions from the tax levy to these attractions.
Looking to Calgary and Potential Benefits
The proposal looks to other major cities for precedent. Calgary reportedly generates up to $25 million annually from parking fees at its city-owned amenities, a revenue stream Janz says reduces property taxes there by "more than a per cent." In practice, parking at most Calgary attractions costs around $13.
Support is emerging from other council members. Ward Dene Councillor Aaron Paquette echoed the sentiment during a public hearing, questioning the "true cost" of free parking. He estimated that if users paid the full cost, it would amount to a minimum of $500 per year.
Beyond revenue, advocates see social and environmental upsides. Janz suggested that charging for parking could encourage carpooling or the use of public transit, reducing congestion and emissions. He shared a personal anecdote of struggling to find a spot at the Terwilliger Recreation Centre, stating, "When something’s free, people abuse it."
The proposed study will now go to city administration, with its findings likely to fuel a broader debate about how Edmonton funds its services and manages growth in the years to come.
