The Alberta government appears willing to entertain a conversation on Calgary’s lost photo radar cash, provided it adds to safety outcomes.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas is expected to bring forward a motion arising upon completion of the 2026 Calgary budget that would look at advocacy with the province to help recoup the fine revenue.
After the province banned the use of photo radar on provincial roadways and limited its use to school, playground, and construction zones, along with a handful of problematic intersections, the Calgary police said it would amount to a $28 million loss in fine revenue.
This week, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) answered questions about its budget, including the removal of $47 million in fine revenue (including the $28 million lost with automated enforcement). This year, the City of Calgary is slated to replace those funds in the budget so fine revenue is no longer included in future projected CPS budgets.
During that questioning, Mayor Farkas said that he’s been in discussions with Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen, on the topic.
“My most recent conversation with Minister Dreeshen was along the lines of, if I have formal direction for my council in terms of asking for that revenue back, they may be willing to engage in a conversation,” Farkas said.
“Therefore, it’s my intent, following our budget proceedings today, to seek a motion arising to give council endorsement to that approach.”
The province said that they’ve been clear that fine revenue from automated enforcement shouldn’t be treated as a guaranteed municipal revenue stream.
“That said, I’ve always been open to constructive conversations with municipal leaders, including Mayor Farkas, about ways we can work together to enhance road safety and ensure fairness for taxpayers,” read an email response to questions from Minister Dreeshen.
“Any discussions around fine revenue must stay focused on safety outcomes, not on replacing lost revenue.”
Motion will come after the budget is approved
Mayor Farkas said that once the budget is concluded, he’ll bring the motion arising forward.
“The provincial government has given Calgary property taxpayers a huge hole to fill, and we are, for this year, specifically, going to one-time funding to be able to replace the fine revenue that’s been lost,” he said.
“Look, I know nobody likes traffic fines, but I’m pretty old school. I think if you do the crime, you should pay the fine.”
Farkas said he would advocate for a restoration of the fine revenue and adding more photo locations around the city. The CPS was successful in presenting a business case to the province for the resumption of photo radar at two additional intersections.
The mayor agreed that if reinstated it should go to traffic safety improvements.
“If it is restored, it has to be earmarked specifically for traffic safety improvements. That is the critical part. It’s not just fine revenue for fine revenue sake, to bail out, say, a local government that can’t manage its finances,” he said.
“It has to be fine revenue that’s specifically earmarked for improving traffic safety outcomes, through capital improvements, through better education, through engineering and enforcement. It can’t just be a cash cow that’s deployed in areas unfairly.”
Minister Dreeshen said that they’re open to working with cities on this issue.
“Alberta’s government will continue to work with municipalities like Calgary to promote responsible, transparent enforcement practices that keep our roads safe, and our traffic safety programs accountable to the public,” he said.
