Ottawa mayoral candidate Alex Lawson has a promise that's sure to get drivers talking: rip out every single parking meter and pay station across the city, making all on-street parking completely free.
The pledge
Lawson says that if he wins the mayor's chair, one of his first moves would be eliminating parking fees on Ottawa streets entirely. That means no more feeding meters downtown, no more scrambling for change on Elgin Street, and no more parking apps pinging your phone with a payment reminder while you're grabbing a coffee in the ByWard Market.
The idea taps into a frustration a lot of Ottawa residents know well. Anyone who's circled a block in Centretown looking for a spot, only to pay by the hour once they find one, has probably grumbled about the cost of parking in the core. Lawson's pitch is straightforward: get rid of the meters, get rid of the hassle, and let people park for free.
Why this matters for Ottawa
Parking policy might not sound like the flashiest campaign issue, but in a city as spread out and car-dependent as Ottawa, it touches almost everyone. Small business owners in neighbourhoods like Wellington West or the Glebe have long debated whether metered parking helps or hurts foot traffic. Some argue paid parking keeps spots turning over so customers can actually find a place to stop. Others say it drives shoppers to suburban plazas with free lots instead.
Free on-street parking would also mean a hit to city revenue. Ottawa currently collects millions of dollars a year from parking meters and pay stations, money that goes toward everything from road maintenance to transit funding. Removing that income stream raises an obvious question: how would the city make up the difference, and would that mean higher property taxes or cuts elsewhere?
What it could mean for residents and businesses
For Ottawa drivers, the appeal is obvious. Free parking means fewer tickets, less stress, and more money staying in people's pockets after a night out or a shopping trip downtown. For businesses along commercial strips, it could be a mixed bag depending on whether it brings in more customers or just leads to all-day parkers hogging prime spots meant for quick visits.
Ottawa's downtown core has struggled in recent years with vacant storefronts and reduced foot traffic since the shift to hybrid work. Some business advocates might welcome anything that makes it easier and cheaper for people to visit in person. Others worry that without paid turnover, the same commuters could just park all day for free, leaving nothing for retail customers.
The bigger picture
As Ottawa's municipal election campaign heats up, parking is shaping up to be one of the issues candidates use to distinguish themselves. Lawson's free parking promise is bold and easy to understand, which makes it the kind of policy that sticks in voters' minds, whether they love it or hate it.
Whether the idea is feasible once you factor in lost city revenue remains to be seen, but it's already got Ottawa residents talking about what a meter-free city might actually look like.
Source: CBC Ottawa
