November 27, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Calgary police are asking city council for a major funding boost, pointing to a $49.4-million shortfall driven by shrinking photo radar revenue and mounting demands from a rapidly growing population.
The single biggest factor—$28 million—is tied to photo radar losses. Earlier this year, council temporarily covered that gap with reserve funds. Police are now calling for photo radar revenue to be removed from future budget forecasting altogether to avoid repeated stop-gap funding measures.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas agreed that the money from traffic enforcement should not be treated as a guaranteed financial asset.
“Photo radar can’t just be a cash cow deployed to areas unfairly,” Farkas said. “It needs to be specifically targeting the highest collision areas where there are known safety issues, and the money has to be earmarked specifically for safety improvements. If you do the crime, you should pay the fine.”
The provincial government echoed that view in a statement to CityNews, reiterating that photo radar income should not serve as a “guaranteed municipal revenue stream.”
Beyond enforcement revenue, police are also requesting $21.4 million to cover delayed expenses, including the replacement of aging vehicles, facility repairs, and expanded capacity to manage an influx of freedom-of-information requests under new provincial legislation.
Loading ...
