Want free parking? City of Calgary launches initiative to support local businesses

The Calgary Parking Authority is stepping up to support local small businesses over the holiday season by giving away four $150 parking credits.
Every week over the next month, the parking authority will choose one lucky winner, it announced in a Friday release. The goal is to encourage Calgarians to shop at local businesses and support businesses improvement areas (BIA) over the holiday season.
"Local businesses make up the fabric of our communities," said Erin Chrusch, leader of business and local economy at the City of Calgary. "Supporting local helps businesses in our city thrive and grow, while also supporting local jobs and ensuring more money stays in our community."
It's an initiative that was inspired by the city's #SupportLocalYYC campaign, where one of the main obstacles is access to parking.
"This is a great initiative for BIAs because who doesn’t want $150 worth of free parking while checking out the wonderful small businesses in our neighborhoods?" said Annie McGinnis, executive director of the Kensington Business Revitalization Zone.
"Every dollar spent locally generates $6 for our local economy," McGinnis added, "so shop local this season and win some free parking to use in our over 700 Kensington on-street and parking lot spots."
Danielle Fawcett, owner of The Shoe Closet in Inglewood, says her security company failed her when thieves got in and stole thousands last month.
A spokesperson for the parking authority added that parking in city spots to shop at locally-owned businesses provides a double payoff.
"When people park with us, as opposed to our competitors, they’re truly supporting local," said Chris Blaschuk, manager of the Calgary Parking Authority. "Every dollar of revenue over and above our operating costs enables the city to support communities and businesses, through programs such as the Parking Revenue Reinvestment Program.
"For instance," he added. "The financial contribution to the city from CPA from parking activities is projected to be more than $20 million in 2022."
To enter, visit the Calgary Parking Authority's Instagram page @Calgary_Parking. Like the post, tag a friend, and tag a local business you like.
Winners will be chosen every Monday starting Dec. 12, with $150 being added to your ParkPlus account. The credits will be good for on-street parking, in parkades and surface lots and never expire.
Be sure to use the hashtag #SupportLocalYYC, and remember to share the giveaway with family and friends to help promote local businesses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
23 vehicles towed, dozens of tickets issued as rally marks one-year anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa
OPS and Ottawa Bylaw officers issued 192 parking tickets and 67 Provincial Offences Notices in downtown Ottawa this weekend, as people gathered marked the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy'.

'COVID is not done,' Canadian infectious disease expert says ahead of WHO announcement
While RSV and flu cases steadily decline in Canada, the World Health Organization is set to announce on Monday whether it still considers COVID-19 a global health emergency, but one infectious disease specialist says we still need to keep an eye on the coronavirus.
YouTube star MrBeast helps 1,000 blind people see again by sponsoring cataract surgeries
YouTube superstar MrBeast is making the world clearer -- for at least 1,000 people. The content creator's latest stunt is paying for cataract removal for 1,000 people who were blind or near-blind but could not afford the surgery.
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
'24,' 'Runaways' actor Annie Wersching has died at 45
Actor Annie Wersching, best known for playing FBI agent Renee Walker in the series '24' and providing the voice for Tess in the video game 'The Last of Us' has died. She was 45.
Ukrainian kids find cellphone signal on hill, set up makeshift school
On a bleak, windswept hillside in northeast Ukraine, three young boys recently discovered a cell phone signal, something difficult to find in their region since Russia invaded their country. and they've set up a makeshift school around the signal.
Russian teen faces years in jail over social media post criticizing war in Ukraine
A Russian teenager must wear an ankle bracelet while she is under house arrest after she was charged over social media posts that authorities say discredit the Russian army and justify terrorism.
Father pushing Manitoba to follow Ontario, Saskatchewan in screening for CMV
Roughly one in 200 babies born in Canada today will have congenital cytomegalovirus, a virus that can lead to hearing loss, intellectual disability or vision loss. But with only two provinces screening newborns for CMV, one father is asking other health-care systems to do more.
Emotional prayer room ceremony marks 6th anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting
An emotional ceremony took place today marking the sixth anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting, held for the first time in the same room where many of the victims were killed. Six men died that night: Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti were gunned down not long after evening prayers at the suburban Quebec City mosque.