Fines for parking tickets increase to $20 to provide more deterrence
Get ready to dig deeper into your pocket if you fail to obey the parking bylaws, as the penalty for acquiring a parking ticket has increased to $20 from $10. The increase to the voluntary payment option was approved by city council as part of the 2019 budget and incorporated recently into the City of Moose Jaw’s amended traffic bylaw. The full details on the payment structure for parking violations can be found on the city’s website, at moosejaw.ca, on page 41 in Schedule G of the traffic bylaw. It has been a long time since fines for parking violations were increased, Sgt. Kevin Pilsworth with the Moose Jaw Police Service explained on Aug. 16. Compared to the rest of Saskatchewan and Western Canada, Moose Jaw’s financial penalties for parking violations are “not on the high side.”
Even looking at what the fines are in Saskatchewan — or just in Regina and Saskatoon — should make people realize Moose Jaw is still below the average, he continued. Regina’s parking fines start at $30 and increase to $65 after 14 days, while Saskatoon’s start at $30 and increase to $50 after 14 days. Moose Jaw’s fines now start at $20 and increase to $50 for most violations after 14 days.
“What people would probably like to understand is, how are fines set (and) why are they that amount. And it’s like any other fine: if it’s too low, then it doesn’t act as a deterrent,” Pilsworth said. “Ten dollars … was a little on the low side to act as a deterrent.”
This is not a cash grab by the municipality, he stressed. Similar to any other fine — whether it’s for a moving violation, a Traffic Safety Act violation, or something under the municipal bylaw — there needs to be a deterrent. The police service was recently made aware of the adjustment to the penalty, which went into effect on Aug. 14, said Pilsworth. The service anticipated the adjustment but didn’t know how much the increase would be or the exact date. “It was not a surprise to our police service,” he added.
Anyone who parks illegally or chooses to disobey the Traffic Bylaw will be affected by the change since they will be ticketed. For motorists with the proper placards, such as veterans or seniors, they will be entitled to park in the designated zones.
Pilsworth reminded residents that city hall is the only place to pay fines and other tickets. The police station is no longer accepting payments and has not done so in a while.
Violators can pay their fines in person at city hall at 228 Main Street North, or online with the “Pay Parking Tickets Online” button at the top of the home page of www.moosejaw.ca.