FAQ

This strategy is important because Winnipeg’s streets are busier and more complex than ever. The curbside is no longer just a place to park, it’s also for:

1. rideshare pick-ups 
2. food deliveries
3. accessible loading
4. short-term parking

With so many competing demands, we need a coordinated plan.  This strategy helps balance the needs of residents, businesses, hospitals, and visitors. 

Paid parking is one of the most effective tools cities use to manage the demand for on-street parking. Paid parking promotes turnover near popular destinations. 

We are recommending modernizing the paid parking policy. The modernized policy would tie rate adjustments and the times of day paid parking is in effect to parking demand. This would also make it clear when to remove paid parking if demand decreases and add paid parking where it could be a benefit. We recommend engagement on the modernized policy will take place before implementation.

We recognize the support for using parking revenues to improve the areas where fees are collected. 

Each year, the Winnipeg Parking Authority generates on average $3 to $4 million from on-street parking, after expenses to run this program are paid. Then, as part of the annual budget process, Council decides how much of that amount is transferred to the General Revenue Fund. The General Revenue Fund is used to pay for City operations and projects, benefiting all residents

There are no plans to change where parking revenues go. The City has many unfunded projects, including parking infrastructure projects.

The strategy aligns with long-term plans like:

• OurWinnipeg 2045
• Transportation Master Plan 2050
• CentrePlan 2050

You’ll see a more consistent approach to managing parking and mobility. We are recommending that decisions be more data-driven.

The strategy also looks beyond parking to how people move through:

1. Supporting continued growth of carsharing and vehicles-for-hire.
2. Adding more designated pick-up and drop-off zones.
3. Exploring opportunities for electric vehicle charging in on-street parking spaces and expand EV charging in off-street City-managed lots.

And improving parking customer service through:

1. Better digital tools
2. Easier payment options
3. More and updated accessible signage
4. Clearer wayfinding downtown

We can implement many initiatives in the strategy within existing budgets. If actions require funding, they will be put through the budget process and decided by Council.

Yes. The strategy includes what we heard during the engagement process. It has also been updated to reflect:

• New trends
• City Council directions
• Major City plans that have been approved since then

In 2025, we also spoke with local Business Improvement Zones (BIZ) in paid parking areas. We checked in and confirmed their priorities. 

As we put the plan into action, we will keep working with stakeholders. Feedback on actions will help us better understand different perspectives and values.

Since 2021, we have been modernizing our operations and preparing for future projects.

During that time, we have:

• Expanded the use of automated licence plate recognition and started sending penalty notices by mail.
• Created a new block-by-block numbering system for paid parking.
• Launched the Winnipeg Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) program. This program makes it easier to book accessible taxis across the city.
• Introduced new carsharing laws and permit programs.
• Installed a secure card-access system at the Millennium Library Parkade.
• Started a three-level residential permit fee system.
• Taken over management of the City’s public electric vehicle charging stations.
• Cut penalty notice appeal times from 24 weeks to 8 weeks.
• Removed old paystations to save money and prepare for new digital tools.
• Launched a pilot project to allow longer paid parking times on some blocks in the Exchange District.