Vaughan
July 10, 2008 11:24 PM
By: Caroline Grech
If you want to fight a parking ticket in Vaughan, you have to take your beef to provincial court.
But the city says it may have a solution for you.
Vaughan politicians approved a plan that lets you dispute parking tickets at city hall.
It is move city spokesperson Madeline Zito said would also free up hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue tied up in the court system.
Under the proposed new system, ticket disputes would be heard by screening or hearing officers, who have the authority to confirm, change or withdraw the penalty notice.
“Right now, we’re getting two days a month in court. This would make them heard a lot quicker,” said Mayor Linda Jackson, adding two days for municipalities to have ticket disputes heard is ridiculous.
It has also contributed to a significant backlog at the courts.
As it stands now, you have to drive to either the Richmond Hill or Newmarket courthouse to fight your ticket.
The quasi-judicial board will also deal with bylaw infractions.
The decision of screening officers can be appealed to a hearing officer, who has the final say. But if you still don’t like the outcome, you can go the regular court route, Ms Jackson said.
The city issued 80,000 parking tickets In 2006 and 2007.
Only tickets less than $100 can be disputed at city hall. Other violations such as parking in a handicap spot would still be heard in provincial court.
Undisputed tickets can be paid online at the city’s website at
www.payvaughanticket.comCosts to roll out the program will be included in report to council this fall.
Have your sayWill you dispute any parking tickets at Vaughan city hall or do you prefer the regular court route. Tell us at
newsroom@vaughancitizen.com