The City of Calgary used to require its vehicle operators to pay their own traffic fines, but a change three years ago now places the responsibility on taxpayers, resulting in over $120,000 in fines covered, as per data obtained by CBC News. Christy Schaefer, manager of fleet training and compliance, operational services, stated in an email to CBC News that since April 2023, the city has been paying routine on-duty traffic fines issued to employees driving city vehicles or equipment, following agreements from grievance and union arbitrations similarly adopted by other municipalities in Alberta. This policy excludes fines related to gross negligence, impaired driving, dangerous driving, distracted driving, or Criminal Code offenses.
The city adjusted its approach to be in line with other municipalities, especially Edmonton, after a union arbitration decision involving the City of Edmonton. While the City of Red Deer covers traffic fines for staff, and Edmonton covers photo radar tickets but not officer-issued fines, officials in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Airdrie stated that their employees are responsible for fines accrued while driving city vehicles.
The number of tickets issued to City of Calgary vehicles decreased to 96 in 2025 from 189 in 2024, with the majority being for speeding or running red lights. Overall, the Calgary Police Service reported a drop in the total number of tickets issued by officers, photo radar, or speed-on-green cameras, reducing from around 210,000 to just under 100,000 during this period.
The city clarified that it also covers parking infractions in private lots, with an average of three to four instances annually. City vehicles are eligible for free parking in lots and on the street with Calgary Parking. Though the fraction of tickets issued to city vehicles is relatively small compared to overall city tickets, concerns were raised about taxpayers bearing the cost, as mentioned by Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean before it was confirmed that the city covers the fines.
Christy Schaefer emphasized that city vehicle operators undergo training and qualification processes before driving for the city, with a focus on safe and professional operation. The Calgary fleet, the largest in Alberta, consists of approximately 6,000 vehicles covering over 90 million kilometers annually. Mike Maher, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 583 in Calgary, suggested that tight schedules could contribute to the high number of fines, emphasizing the need for more realistic schedules to reduce stress on drivers.
Calgary Transit mentioned that traffic tickets issued to transit operators occur citywide and at various times, not being restricted to specific routes or peak hours. Operators are instructed to prioritize safety over schedules, adhering to defensive driving principles taught through training and daily operations. Traffic fine revenue is distributed between the province and municipalities.
