Jasper Weighs Year-Round Paid Parking as Rates Rise for 2026

Jasper is considering a shift to year-round paid parking, as the town looks at how to manage visitor traffic and generate revenue beyond the peak summer season.

The idea was introduced at a March 10 Committee of the Whole meeting, where council directed administration to explore what a 12-month paid parking system could look like, including how it would operate during the quieter winter months.

Right now, paid parking in Jasper is largely seasonal. Moving to a year-round model would mark a significant change in how the town manages its streets and visitor access.

Rates set to increase this summer

The discussion comes alongside confirmed price increases for the 2026 tourist season.

Council has approved:

• On-street parking: $4.50 → $7 per hour

• Parking lots: $3.50 → $7 per hour

• Full-day lot parking: $17 → $28

The new rates are expected to take effect May 1, when Jasper’s seasonal paid parking program begins and runs through Oct. 31.

Part of a broader shift in how Jasper manages access

The push toward year-round parking is tied to Jasper’s 2026–2030 Strategic Priorities, where council identified “Mobility and Access” as a key focus.

In simple terms, that means figuring out how people move through town, including residents, workers, and the millions of visitors who arrive each year.

Parking is a major piece of that. It affects congestion, business access, and how easy it is for people to get around.

Council not fully aligned on the approach

While council is moving forward with exploring the idea, not everyone is on the same page.

Councillor Ralph Melnyk asked for the record to reflect that he opposed a motion directing administration to begin drafting a parking revenue policy.

His objection points to a broader question that still needs to be worked out. Not just whether parking should be paid year-round, but how the money generated from it should be used.

New bylaw would formalize control over parking

To support the changes, council has given first and second readings to a new bylaw that would establish the Municipality of Jasper Parking Authority for 2026.

The bylaw would:

• Formalize municipal control over parking operations

• Assign the Chief Administrative Officer responsibility for managing parking systems and revenue

This creates the structure needed if the town moves ahead with a longer-term parking model.

Decision tied to post-wildfire recovery

The timing of these discussions is not accidental.

Jasper is still in the early stages of recovering from the 2024 wildfire complex, and council has been clear that major policy decisions need to support long-term resilience and economic stability.

Parking is now part of that conversation. It is being looked at not just as a tool to manage traffic, but as a potential revenue source during a period of rebuilding.

What happens next

Administration will now study what a year-round system could look like and gather feedback from the community.

A report is expected at a future council meeting, along with a draft policy outlining how parking revenue would be managed.

If approved, a permanent year-round paid parking system could be implemented as early as 2027.