Montreal projects $19M less revenue from parking, traffic tickets in 2016
Total loss projected at $26.8 million, including fines issued by firefighters
The City of Montreal is expected to lose $19 million in revenue from parking and traffic tickets in 2016, according to the city's finance department.
The projections, made public Wednesday, suggest that including tickets issued by firefighters, the city could see a total revenue decrease of $26.8 million.
Montreal's police union has been accused in the past of giving out fewer tickets as a pressure tactic, something Project Montreal councillor Alex Norris called "unacceptable."
Norris denounced the "confrontational" style of Mayor Denis Coderre's administration, whose relations with police have been strained over pension reforms.
Despite the loss, the city has projected a budget surplus of $62.8 million, according to financial statements dated Aug. 31.
Expenditures were lower than budgeted in 2016 by a margin of $58.7 million, while revenues were up $4.1 million.
Approximately $30 million was saved in municipal services and compensation.
Paying police overtime, mainly for monitoring work sites, however, will cost $12.4 million, more than expected.
with files from Radio-Canada