More than 40% of motorists, who appealed their tickets citing “difficulties”, saw their fine canceled or reduced in 2023. This proportion concerns municipal councilor Stephen Holyday.
This statistic leads him to question the deterrent effect of fines.
He declared to CBC that he wondered what the impact would be later this year, when the City takes responsibility for judging much more serious offenses such as speeding and running red lights.
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Stephen Holyday is a municipal councilor for Ward 2 Etobicoke-Centre.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Mike Smee
There must be a penalty and a consequence
said Mr. Holyday.
The municipal councilor recalls that The City has parking tickets to deal with things like congestion, but even more importantly, for safety considerations
.
8,600 fines reduced or canceled
The latest figures were presented to councilors at a recent meeting of the council’s general government committee in the annual report of the Administrative Sanctions Tribunal, which has considered appeals of all parking tickets since 2017.
Of the 21,000 cases it heard in 2023, the Administrative Sanctions Tribunal said 8,600 were either reduced or canceled due to difficulties
.
Difficulties can be financial or medical in nature, notes Dianne Kasias, director of the city’s judicial services.
In Toronto, a ticket can be as high as $500 in 2023. Of the 2.2 million tickets issued last year, the majority are between $30 and $75, according to a city staff report.
This is the cost of a full tank of gas.
said Mr. Holyday. It’s a question worth asking: how do you explain the financial difficulties for a $60 ticket? …At first glance this doesn’t seem logical
.
Administrative Sanctions Tribunal did not return calls from CBC. Dianne Kasias defends the court’s decisions.
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Dianne Casias is the Director of Legal Services for the City of Toronto.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Laura Pedersen
According to Ms. Kasias, the 25 court officers are well-trained members of the public and supported by City staff.
They are very well trained in mediation and arbitration
she said. When they are chosen (by the city council), it has to be someone who really understands the city’s traffic policies and laws. The council, by appointing these members, gives them the opportunity to make these decisions (regarding the reduction of a fine)
.
With information from CBC
