Looking to fight a parking ticket in Brant?
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Soon, it shouldn’t take as long.
In September, the county will implement a new system for parking ticket disputes that bypasses the current — and often lengthy — appeal process.
At present, if someone wishes to fight a ticket, they request a trial and the case is heard by a justice of the peace in the provincial offenses act (POA) system.
But, because of backlogs, it could take up to a year to get a trial, according to a report presented earlier this month by Greg Bergeron, the director of enforcement and regulatory services for the county.
Bringing the resolution process in-house should help resolve disputes within four months, the report adds.
Under the new system taking effect Sept. 16, if someone appeals a ticket, a screening officer will review the case and either deny the appeal and uphold the penalty, or reduce or cancel the ticket.
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If the screening officer denies the initial appeal, the ticket holder can appeal to a hearing officer — someone appointed by the county, but not a municipal employee — who will make a final decision.
All fines will remain the same, and people will still have the option to pay a reduced fee if the ticket is paid within seven days, according to Bergeron’s report.
The base rate for parking violations in the county ranges from $25 to $305.
The new system will also be able to handle an anticipated increase in tickets — as well as appeals — that could be doled out if the county moves forward with an automated speed enforcement program.
Celeste Percy-Beauregard is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
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