A free parking by-law passed by the City will make parking in downtown Portage a little easier for the next couple of weeks.

Parking meters throughout downtown will be covered in bags starting today, and City Councillor Melissa Draycott says the free parking is the City's way of giving back and getting into the holiday spirit.

"During the Christmas season things tend to change a little bit. It's one of the things that the City does in order to make parking a little bit easier downtown for anybody and to encourage some shopping to happen locally."

Draycott adds the by-law is well received by the community.

"I don't think that we've had any complaints from people that are upset that they can't pay to park. It's something that we look forward to doing and something that we hope to continue doing."

Parking downtown will be free starting today until Christmas Eve, and Draycott reminds you all other parking by-laws are still in effect during this time.