A group of Calgary city councillors is calling on the city to step in and help fill a multi-million dollar funding gap faced by the Calgary Police Service. The shortfall is attributed to the province's recent restrictions on photo radar, which are expected to significantly reduce ticket revenue for the police service.
As the Calgary Police Service grapples with a significant funding shortfall attributed to restrictions on photo radar , a group of city councillors is urging the city to intervene and bridge this financial gap. An urgent motion by Councillors Sonya Sharp, Terry Wong, Jennifer Wyness, and Andre Chabot, endorsed at committee Tuesday, will be presented to city council later this month.
This motion comes after revelations that the Calgary Police Service faces a $28 million budget deficit in 2025 and beyond, directly linked to the anticipated loss of ticket revenue resulting from the province's limitations on photo radar deployment.The motion requests city administration to explore and present funding options to support the Calgary Police Commission in closing this budgetary gap. Councillor Sharp emphasized the need to convey a clear message to the province regarding the substantial impact of seemingly minor policy changes on the safety of Calgarians. The motion also calls for a comprehensive report from city administration on potential speed and traffic calming measures. This report should include an analysis of their annual costs and a comparison of their effectiveness to that of photo radar. Furthermore, the motion urges city administration to advocate for additional photo radar locations in high-collision areas within the province, seeking exemptions from the existing restrictions. Councillor Wyness expressed optimism that the province might reconsider its decision, highlighting the concerning number of fatalities in Calgary as compelling evidence. The provincial government's new regulations, announced in December, significantly restrict the use of photo radar, limiting it to school zones, playgrounds, and construction sites. This reduction shrinks the number of potential photo radar locations from 2,000 to 650 across the province. Calgary police chief Mark Neufeld acknowledged the ongoing efforts to minimize costs, including a temporary halt on civilian position hiring and limitations on overtime spending, which are projected to save $13 million in 2024. John Orr, president of the Calgary Police Association, criticized the reliance on fine revenue for police budgeting, stating that it should be solely dedicated to providing essential policing services. The province shares 40% of its fine revenue with municipalities, and traditionally, city council has used this funding to offset property tax needs for police services. The Calgary Police Commission revealed that it anticipated the province's photo radar changes would significantly exacerbate the budget shortfall in 2025. The councillors' motion also proposes exploring reforms to police funding, aiming to decouple it from fine revenue. The Calgary Police Commission echoes this sentiment, stating that traffic enforcement should prioritize public safety and advocating for the removal of fine revenue from future police budgets to ensure that safety remains the sole focus. The provincial government promised engagement with municipalities and law enforcement in the coming weeks to finalize the new photo radar guidelines, set to take effect on April 1. They emphasized a commitment to using automated enforcement responsibly, prioritizing road safety over revenue generation. Mayor Jyoti Gondek expressed concern that the funding gap, equivalent to six percent of the police service's budget, could lead to an increase in property taxes for Calgarians next year. She acknowledged the challenging financial situation, stating that it would put the city in a difficult position.
CALGARY POLICE SERVICE PHOTO RADAR BUDGET SHORTFALL CITY COUNCIL TRAFFIC SAFETY
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