Tulips? Come To Ottawa. Get A Ticket

Published 05/26/2025 · Updated 05/26/2025

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Welcome to Ottawa …

The annual Canadian Tulip Festival recently concluded and the City of Ottawa has now proudly announced that bylaw services issued at least 1,400 parking tickets during the festivities.

How’s that for tourism savvy?

This is the city is begging tourists and residents to partake in the tulip fest to boost their revenue. The average parking ticket cost is about $60 so roughly $84,000 were added to the city coffers. Bylaw services clearly sharpened their pencils and descended full-force on those who dared park on city streets to take in the tulips.

Remember those stunning aurora borealis skies we were so excited to see? Remember bylaw services out in full force ticketing those who dared stop for a bit to take in the free stellar performance our world gave us? For what purpose was this invasion by bylaw services on hapless residents other than to meet or exceed quota?

The city website really should have a disclaimer: “By all means come on down and take in the beauty that is our world class city … just as an FYI though, we have limited to no parking and our transit system sucks but by all means park at your own risk and we will make sure it costs you dearly … but have a good time.”