Winnipeg, MB - The City of Winnipeg has changed its process for parking tickets after it was brought to the City’s attention that portions of their parking ticket process did not comply with The Summary Convictions Act.â�
“As soon as the issue was brought to our attention, we began investigating and worked to find a solution,” said Michael Jack, City of Winnipeg Chief Operating Officer. “In addition to the changes being made to the parking ticket process, vehicles that have been impounded due to unpaid parking tickets are being released to their owners, and collection will no longer be pursued on outstanding parking tickets that were issued more than six years ago.”
Changes to the parking ticket process includes updated wording on parking tickets, and changes to the way the Winnipeg Parking Authority (WPA) files paperwork with the Provincial Court. For any tickets issued under this new process, motorists will still be able to have the WPA review their tickets for errors and will still be able to go to court to contest their tickets.
“Our parking by-laws have always been and continue to be valid, and anyone who violated those by-laws parked illegally,” said Jack.
Unpaid parking tickets issued in the past six years are still owed to the City, with the exception of winter parking ban tickets issued before December 11, 2015 and any fines associated with a vehicle that was liened. For outstanding tickets issued more than six years ago, the City will no longer be pursuing collection. However, if payment has been made on a parking ticket, the person who made the payment will not be entitled to a refund. To contest tickets issued prior to March 24, 2016, motorists will need to go directly to the WPA.
Parking tickets are the most effective way to maintain the integrity of parking regulations. These regulations are in place for safety reasons, to keep traffic moving and to encourage parking turnover.