[xbsd]

So, this is not about CT. Rather, it is about a Canadian Parking Ticket that I got in Canada on my CT car, today at 2:40 AM.

I was visiting my relatives in Ottawa and when we got here yesterday it was late night. The Building Authorities had shut down the office by then. We looked for parking but was unable to find one. There were several parking spots and all were occupied except for the last two. Now, there was a handicapped parking sign between the two last lanes. But only the extreme lane had the handicapped symbol painted just like we have in the States. The second lane had a blue line and an yellow line on either side.

We parked on this second lane, next to the lane that had the symbol printed.

Today morning I found a $ 350.00 ticket from the "City of Ottawa".

First, we were parked on private property in a condominium complex, so I don't know why the "City" gave me a ticket. Second, we were parked next to the lane with the symbol, not on it. And Third, it was so late night, we couldn't call the building management.

I went to the mgmt office 2 hrs back, and they said that we should have called their Emergency Line. Also, they said that the symbol is in the middle of the two lanes, although it is not. And finally, if we don't pay the ticket they will increase it to $ 450 + Court Fees !!!

My questions are --

Do I have to pay the ticket ? Does it matter ? I have heard that there are extradition policies for unpaid tickets for travelers between Canada and the US. I might be coming here in the future.

I might be partly responsible for not calling an "emergency" hotline to "help-me-find-a-parking-spot" (!!! man), but if the bldg does not paint handicapped symbols on both lanes how is one supposed to know ?

The only way to fight the ticket is to go for a trial ... and I can't make a $ 200 9 hr trip from CT to Ottawa and back for an illegitimate ticket.

.. These guys are going to seriously damage my impression of Canadians ...

Any advise, please !

Thanks, -Raj.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by xbsd

The second lane had a blue line and an yellow line on either side.

Wow, that's a steep fine. I definitely see your point, and agree that the sign might have been confusing. But if I am picturing this right in my head, the lane you parked in did have the yellow line on both sides. And all the other parking spots had no yellow lines? So I would have assumed that both parking spots in between yellow lines would have been handicapped. Good luck with this, what an expensive lesson!!

[Charles22]

The lane next to the HC spot is supposed to be kept open so that a wheelchair user can use a side-loading van.

[evopuma]

You probably got the ticket because someone called and complained that you were in the spot. Plus the police love to pray on outsiders because there is a better chance that they will get paid quick to avoid having to come back to fight it. When I was younger my family used to visit Montreal yearly and wound up getting a parking ticket for one reason or another.

I would call the police that gave you the ticket to see if there is any way they can cancel it.

[xbsd]

Actually, the lane I was parked in had a blue and a yellow line. Usually, in the US, Handicapped lanes have blue lines on both sides. Also, Charles, they claimed that the lane I was in was a "separate" handicapped lane, not like an extra space to get in/out. ...

[xbsd]

Also, do you know how a housing authority can disburse city "tickets" ? The ticket I got was marked from the "City of Ottawa", but it was the mgmt office that actually wrote the ticket. Is this some kind of strange rule in Canada ?

[renovating]

Originally Posted by xbsd

.. These guys are going to seriously damage my impression of Canadians ...

Oh please, spare me....You got a parking ticket, accept accountability and responsibility...be a grown up and pay for your mistake. Stop trying to blame anyone else but yourself.

[twingles]

I agree - sounds like someone complained about you being there, hence the ticket.

[Pink flamingo]

There was no one else parked in that spot....hum...I wonder....could it possibly be part of the handicap lane? It has some odd lines that I don't recognize as handicap, hum...the lot is full, it is late at nite....who will ever know? BUSTED....pay up or it will haunt you. Now you know, lesson learned. The reason the fines are high IS because people would park there if it were cheap.

[steel7]

If you plan to go back to canada you should pay it otherwise dont.