WINNIPEG March 05, 2007 - In the coming weeks, the Winnipeg Parking Authority (WPA) will be contacting individuals with long outstanding or significant parking fines, to advise that the WPA will be reinstating lien and tow penalties. The Parking Authority has not utilized this collection mechanism since assuming responsibility for the collection of parking ticket fines from the Winnipeg Police Service in November 2005.

“We have been issuing monthly invoices and talking with individuals to plan for resolution of outstanding fines,” said David Hill, Chief Operating Officer of the Parking Authority. “We have made significant progress in collecting outstanding fines, but there is still a long way to go.”

“A number of sizeable accounts are yet to be resolved,” said Hill. “Some parking offenders owe the City more than $2,000. Drivers with long outstanding parking fines will receive a notice of lien against their vehicle, and the City may proceed to seize the property for payment of accounts if the account is not resolved.”

The additional costs of the lien and seizure will be recovered from the registered owner of the vehicle.

As always, the best way to avoid getting a parking ticket is to read the signs, obey the parking regulations, and pay the meter where required.

Individuals who have questions about an outstanding account are encouraged to contact the Parking Authority at 311 or email 311@winnipeg.ca.

Payments can by made cash, cheque, debit transaction or credit card as outlined below:

• In person at the Parking Store, 495 Portage Avenue (cash, cheque, debit, credit card)
• Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• On-line – www.theparkingstore.Winnipeg.ca (credit card only)
• By telephone at 311 (credit card only)