The city's administrative penalty system is struggling to keep up with the demand, leading to a massive backlog of unpaid parking and red light camera tickets. According to the latest figures, it took an average of 252 days, or more than eight months, to screen parking infractions in 2025, up from 94 days in 2022.
The backlog of unresolved screening requests has also grown significantly, from 23,961 in 2022 to 247,514 last year. This has resulted in a staggering $215.8 million in outstanding parking penalties and fees, representing about one-third of the total amount issued between 2022 and 2025.
Red light camera tickets, which were recently integrated into the administrative penalty system, have also proven to be a challenge. Despite collecting $25.4 million in penalties, $17.7 million remained outstanding as of the end of 2025, with 132,000 tickets still unpaid.
City officials are now looking for solutions to address the issue. Councillor Stephen Holyday has ordered a report on a "tiered penalty structure for repeat offenders," which could help to deter drivers from accumulating multiple penalties.
The report by Toronto's auditor general notes that other GTA municipalities, such as Brampton and Markham, use progressive penalties or fees for repeat offenders. The report also highlights the need for consequences for non-payment, as drivers who accumulate multiple penalties may not face any significant repercussions beyond fines.
City council is expected to discuss the issue further and may set an official time frame for screening disputes next year. Councillor Paula Fletcher has requested more data, including heat maps of parking and red light violations, to better understand the issue and identify areas for improvement.
The city's auditor general has criticized the slow processing times, saying that drivers who accumulate multiple penalties may not face any consequences for non-payment. The integration of red light camera tickets into the administrative penalty system is also seen as a key area for improvement.
