CITY HIKES PARKING FINES AROUND WATERFRONT FOR SUMMER

Those caught parking illegally near Mississauga's waterfront could feel a bigger pocket book punch.

The city is elevating parking fines once again south of Lakeshore Road from May until Sept. 30, in an effort, the city says, to curb traffic congestion and illegal parking as waterfront parks, trails and amenities are set to be in high demand this spring and summer.

While illegal parking fines typically range from $30 to $55, tickets on streets and in municipal lots and parks will be $100, more than triple the cost of typical penalties, in some cases.

Higher penalties were first introduced in 2021 after local councillors said

waterfront residents in Mississauga were inundated with significantly higher illegal parking activity while pandemic restrictions shut down most indoor amenities.

Between May 1 and Sept. 30 in 2020, the number of parking tickets issued south of Lakeshore Road increased nearly 20 per cent compared to the same

time 2019, a city spokesperson said last year.

The increased penalties won't be in effect between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.

For the second year in a row, the city is offering free parking at two schools just north of Lakeshore Road, Port Credit Secondary and Brian J. Fleming, during evenings and weekends this spring and summer.