Parking reform is gaining traction across North America, but every city faces familiar friction. A recent review of parking strategies that Peter Richards led (prior to Parkicity) from three Ontario cities: Hamilton (a former industrial hub near Toronto, population ~580,000), Oshawa (a growing city east of Toronto, population ~175,000), and Barrie (a fast-developing mid-sized lakefront city north of Toronto, population ~150,000, shows that while context varies, many of the policy recommendations are remarkably similar. These cities are dealing with downtown revitalization, changing travel patterns, and the growing need to link parking policy to broader climate and land use goals.
Here’s what cities are consistently recommending—and the roadblocks they often encounter.
1. Flexible, Demand-Based Pricing
All three cities call for dynamic pricing strategies that respond to demand and time of day. Rather than one-size-fits-all hourly rates, cities like Hamilton are exploring performance pricing that encourages turnover in high-demand zones and shifts long-term parkers to underused areas. Oshawa’s study even suggested premium downtown spaces could command higher fees, while peripheral lots remain low-cost, balancing revenue with accessibility.
2. Modernizing with Technology
Every strategy emphasized the need for better technology – both for enforcement and user experience. Barrie, for example, is expanding mobile payment and license plate recognition systems to streamline enforcement and reduce reliance on physical meters. In Oshawa, the city planned on piloting integrated parking management software that would help track occupancy and analyze turnover, enabling staff to make more informed decisions on pricing and regulation without relying on outdated manual surveys.
3. Align Parking with Broader Sustainability Goals
Parking isn’t just a transportation issue – it’s a land use and climate issue too. Each city recommends integrating parking policy with cycling, walking, and transit strategies. Barrie’s strategy notes that reducing reliance on parking supports its climate action targets, and Oshawa points out that walkability and mode shift can only be achieved if parking is not over-supplied and underpriced.
4. Better Communication and Engagement
Whether it’s resistance to paid parking expansion or confusion over permits, public understanding remains a barrier. Oshawa’s report acknowledges that lack of communication was a major factor in previous pilot pushbacks. Hamilton similarly notes that consistent messaging, especially around why rates are changing or supply is shifting, is crucial to gaining support from businesses and residents alike.
5. Balancing the Revenue Equation
Most cities want to modernize, but cost recovery and capital investment are hard to square with affordability. Barrie, for instance, faced a tough choice between investing in parking tech and maintaining low parking fees. Hamilton’s strategy suggests a tiered rate structure to cover operating costs without discouraging downtown visits- a delicate balancing act faced by almost every city.
Summary: From Oshawa to Barrie, Ontario cities are recognizing that parking can no longer be treated as static infrastructure used for long-term vehicle storage. These strategies point to a future where parking is priced, planned, and communicated more thoughtfully. Getting there requires political will, community trust, and investment in the tools that make smart parking possible. The plans presented and endorsed by these cities indicate the willingness and aptitude for positive change.