In Gananoque, Ontario, a small tourist town known as the “Gateway to the Thousand Islands,” the mayor has raised eyebrows with a surprising proposal. Mayor John Beddows has suggested that cars with Quebec licence plates should have their wheels clamped if their owners don’t pay parking tickets. The idea is part of his new budget plan, but many locals and councillors worry it could harm tourism and create unnecessary division between provinces.
Using new “strong mayor” powers recently given to him by the province, Beddows introduced a 27-point directive for the town budget. Among those points, he included a proposal to change the parking bylaw.
His idea:
If a Quebec-plated car gets a parking ticket and doesn’t pay, the vehicle could have its tires clamped on the spot.
The ticket would also include extra costs for locking and unlocking the wheels.
Beddows said this was only meant to be an idea for discussion, not a final rule. He argued that the current system is unfair because Ontario and Quebec do not share parking ticket enforcement.
In Ontario, drivers who fail to pay local parking fines cannot renew their driver’s licences until the debt is settled. But in Quebec, there is no such agreement with Ontario towns. That means Quebec drivers can leave unpaid tickets behind without facing consequences.
The mayor said this creates an “uneven playing field” and believes it’s worth exploring ways to fix the gap.
Not everyone agrees with the mayor. Councillor Dave Osmond was quick to criticize the plan, especially since Gananoque depends heavily on tourism.
Osmond warned that targeting Quebec drivers could:
Scare off tourists who bring vital money to local businesses.
Hurt the town’s reputation as a welcoming place.
Damage the economy, especially during peak tourist seasons like Quebec’s construction holidays, when many families visit Gananoque.
He sarcastically posted online: “Thanks for coming and spending your money! I see you have Quebec plates, so we can clamp your tires!”
According to staff reports, between January and July 2025, Gananoque issued 19 unpaid parking tickets. Out of those, 10 were to Quebec-plated cars.
Most tickets range from $15 to $25. Even if every Quebec ticket went unpaid, Osmond argued that the total lost revenue is small compared to the large economic benefits Quebec tourists bring.
Tourists from Quebec also shared their views. Montreal resident Robin Brass, who often stops in Gananoque on the way to his cottage, said the idea seemed extreme.
“To me, it’s a solution in search of a problem,” Brass said. He added that parking rules in town can already be confusing, and targeting Quebec drivers only adds more frustration.
Gananoque’s strong mayor powers, which allow the mayor to set the draft budget, were only introduced in May. Beddows said he takes his role seriously and included the parking idea as part of a larger discussion about finances and fairness.
However, he admitted he doesn’t expect the Quebec-specific measure to survive once council debates the budget. Councillors have already passed a motion asking him to explain his reasoning more clearly.
This debate highlights a bigger issue for small towns like Gananoque: balancing revenue collection with tourism. On one hand, unpaid fines from Quebec drivers frustrate local officials. On the other hand, Quebec tourists bring in far more money through restaurants, hotels, festivals, and attractions.
Many residents and leaders argue that clamping Quebec cars would create more problems than it solves.
Mayor Beddows says his proposal was meant to spark discussion, not necessarily to become law. But the idea of clamping Quebec vehicles has already caused plenty of controversy.
For now, Gananoque’s council must decide whether to move forward with the mayor’s directive or set it aside. While unpaid tickets are a concern, many locals believe the town’s reputation as a friendly tourist destination is worth much more than the few hundred dollars in fines.
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