You'll be allowed to pay Sarnia parking tickets with an unwrapped toy or gift card before Christmas again this year.
The "Toys for Tickets" initiative has been approved and will see gifts collected for children, from newborn to the age of 18, from December 1 to December 15.
Councillor Terry Burrell's opinion hasn't changed since the program was launched in 2020 -- that city revenues shouldn't be impacted.
"If this kind of thing is to be used, I guess, it really should be part of the budgeting process," Burrell said. "It is so easy to pass all of these wonderful types of things outside of the budget program, because it has nothing to compete against. It just makes us look like we're doing something wonderful."
All other councillors in attendance voted in favour of the motion. Councillor Dave Boushy was absent from Monday's meeting.
The city collected 32 toys and gift cards worth over $345 last December.
Historically, city staff said averages over the last three years showed approximately $25,000 dollars in revenue for the month of December.
The revenue loss from running the program for 15 days is predicted to vary between $7,000 and $12,000.
The value of the toy or gift card submitted must equal or exceed the amount owing on the parking ticket, which ranges from $20 to $50.
If you were ticketed for parking in an accessible zone, you'll still have to pay the $300 fine.
All of the donations will go to families in need through a partnership with the Sarnia-Lambton United Way.
Participants are required to bring their parking ticket, unwrapped toy in its original packaging, and receipt to the customer service department on the first floor of Sarnia City Hall during regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Typically the age group of children most in need of gifts for hampers is 13 to 18.
The city recommends donating gift cards, instead of toys, to help agencies like the Salvation Army, Inn of the Good Shepherd and St. Vincent de Paul fill that specific need.