Ottawa is quietly using ticket and fine revenue like a hidden tax to prop up its operating budget, driving up both property taxes and rent because politicians won’t do the hard work of cutting waste or fixing inefficiencies. According to the City’s 2025 Adopted Budget, $90.9 million in “Fines and Penalties” is listed under general revenues —rather than being dedicated to tax relief or community grants. This money is supposed to support safety and compliance, but instead it’s treated as an easy cash source for everyday operations, including paying the mayor's 200k+ salary—an approach that responsible cities avoid. Cities like Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton channel fine revenue into transportation, or safety programs instead of balancing their main budgets with it, and U.S. reform states like Missouri and Colorado outright ban the practice.

 

PETITION TO OTTAWA CITY COUNCIL

Use of Ticket and Fine Revenue and Corresponding Property Tax

Relief

This petition is respectfully submitted to Ottawa City Council. In accordance with the City of Ottawa Petition Statement

We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers of the City of Ottawa, petition Ottawa City Council to

ensure that all revenue from tickets and fines issued by or on behalf of the City of Ottawa is not used to

expand or support the City’s general operating budget, and that any such revenue is instead directed to

public benefit donations and/or used to reduce property taxes.

WHEREAS

• The City of Ottawa reports fines and penalties as general revenue in the annual operating budget;

• These revenues are not segregated for community benefit or tax relief;

• Reliance on fines for revenue risks distorting enforcement incentives;

• Research shows such practices may undermine public trust and long-term fiscal responsibility.

THEREFORE, WE REQUEST THAT OTTAWA CITY COUNCIL:

1. Establish a segregated fund for all fine and ticket revenue.

2. Direct all net revenues to public charitable benefit and/or property tax reductions.

3. Prohibit reliance on projected fine revenues in the operating budget baseline.

4. Publish annual transparent reporting on fine revenue and allocation.

5. Conduct a legal and policy review on risks associated with using fines primarily as revenue tools. APPENDIX A – Research Summary

Research on municipal financing consistently shows that heavy reliance on ticket and fine revenue:

• Weakens fiscal discipline and transparency;

• Encourages budgeting practices dependent on enforcement variability;

• Risks creating harmful incentives for enforcement agencies;

• Disproportionately impacts lower-income residents;

• Can erode trust in institutions and public administration. APPENDIX B – Legal and Regulatory Considerations

Legal scholarship warns that when fines are used primarily to generate revenue rather than achieve

regulatory compliance, municipalities may risk:

• Violating principles of proper statutory purpose;

• Creating conflicts of interest in enforcement;

• Undermining procedural fairness and impartial adjudication;

• Blurring the line between punitive and regulatory penalties.

These risks highlight the need for transparent municipal policy regarding monetized enforcement.