Free parking could soon be a relic of the past for drivers in Montreal's Plateau Mont-Royal.

Councillors in the densely-populated borough say they're considering charging all non-Plateau residents for street parking, in a move to increase revenues.

The borough faces a $4 million dollar deficit and opportunities to increase revenue are limited, which is why council is eyeing paid parking as a potentially lucrative option, said councillor Alex Norris.

The Plateau wants to make drivers pay for parking. (CBC)There are some 11,000 free parking spaces in the Plateau, and it's known that many of them are snapped up by "freeloaders who park for free on our residential streets, and don't pay a penny for it," Norris said.

Some business owners are warning borough leaders to tread carefully when it comes to car traffic in the neighbourhood.

"There's this new, left-wing, hippie, commie policy of getting rid of cars on the Plateau," grumbled Chris Karidogiannis, owner of Agora Flag Shop on Parc Avenue. "Hook or crook, we are an economy based on transportation by vehicle."

For some drivers, the idea of parking in the Plateau is unpleasant as it is.

"There's already not enough parking spots" said Oliver Juneau, a Montreal North resident who drives to the Plateau five days a week for work. "It's going to affect everybody. It's a bad decision."

Juneau said if the borough goes ahead with its proposal, he may have to resort to public transit.

That, according to borough officials, would be another positive outcome of making drivers pay for parking.

Steps to convert as many as 10,000 parking spaces could start as early as next fall. The borough plans to gradually convert the spaces by extending existing permit parking zones.