Montreal projects $19M less revenue from parking, traffic tickets in 2016

The City of Montreal is expected to lose $19 million in revenue from parkingand 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 atotal revenue decrease of $26.8 million.

Montreal's police unionhas been accused in the past ofgiving 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 strainedover pension reforms.

Despite theloss,the city has projecteda budget surplus of $62.8 million, according tofinancial 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.

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