NEW RULES FOR PARKING TICKET ENFORCEMENT

The province has introduced new rules for the enforcement of parking tickets.

"Through these changes, the government is helping municipalities streamline their procedures and reduce the use of costly policing resources for parking offences as well as providing new tools to collect unpaid parking fines," Justice Minister Frank Quennell said.

The Bill to Amend the Summary Offence Procedures Act adds several new provisions for enforcement of municipal parking bylaws. The two key features of the proposed system:

• Allow police to serve a summons for a parking ticket by mail; and

• Provide for conviction to occur when the person charged with the offence does not respond to the summons.

Another major change will provide municipalities with a new tool to enforce parking fines. A municipality will be able to register a lien against a vehicle owned by a person with an outstanding parking fine.

"The legislation is used on a daily basis by peace officers, court staff, judges and municipalities," Quennell said. "It is amended on a regular basis to respond to requests for additional clarity and to deal with new issues."

"The legislation is based on consultations with the cities and the new procedures are modelled on procedures for other, comparable offences," Government Relations Minister Len Taylor said.

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For More Information, Contact:

Andrew Dinsmore Justice Regina Phone: (306) 787-8606

Bill Carney Government Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-6156