Regina, Moose Jaw cancel parking tickets issued during storm

Those who received a parking ticket from the City of Regina while their vehicle was stuck in a snowbank can throw it out.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Michael Fougere announced all tickets issued between Monday at 6 a.m. through Wednesday at 6 a.m. will be rescinded.

“They got a ticket from something that’s beyond their control. We do understand that and we’re listening to what people have been saying and we’re going to cancel those tickets,” he said.

The mayor noted a total of 117 tickets issued on Monday will be walked back. Anyone who already paid the ticket can get a full refund at city hall.

Fougere said the city will also review its policies to make sure parking enforcement’s more reasonable in extraordinary circumstances, such as a snowstorm.

“I’ve got to make that direct apology to those who went through this and we’re going to make sure we do better next time.”

Fougere added these adjustments come after several complaints, both over the phone and social media.

Resident Josh Crosby has been very vocal about the situation.

On Monday afternoon, he was helping to push another vehicle out during the storm when he noticed a ticket being issued to a car stuck on 15th Avenue.

“There were mounds of snow around the car. The (parking enforcement officer) had to brush the snow off the car, just to get a ticket underneath the windshield wiper,” Crosby explained.

“It should have been obvious to him — or anybody giving the ticket — that it was completely unnecessary.”

No parking tickets will be issued until Wednesday at 6 a.m., unless the vehicle is parked in a snow route.

City of Moose Jaw also cancels parking tickets

The City of Moose Jaw also announced Tuesday afternoon all parking tickets received, due to stuck vehicles, will be rescinded.

“We understand the issues facing drivers getting stuck in metered parking areas,” said Moose Jaw’s police chief, Rick Bourassa, in a news release.

“We’ve asked our commissionaires to use discretion in these circumstances and, in some instances, our commissionaires have helped push vehicles out from those spots.”

Anyone who received a parking ticket is encouraged to call 306-694-4660 with their ticket number and the city will cancel it.