MOOSE JAW — The City of Moose Jaw has launched an enforcement campaign in an attempt to recoup roughly $1 million in unpaid parking ticket revenue.
Saying that “Outstanding Isn’t Fine,” the city has initiated a parking ticket enforcement strategy aimed at people with unpaid tickets.
“Parking ticket revenue contributes to fund city operations like infrastructure repair,” said city manager Maryse Carmichael. “And, the City of Moose Jaw has a list of thousands of unpaid parking tickets totalling almost $1 million. It’s our responsibility to Moose Jaw taxpayers and to the majority of people who do pay their parking tickets that we enforce our penalties.”
On Feb. 12, city council passed Bylaw No. 5689, an impounding bylaw that permits the city to seize, impound, immobilize, sell, or otherwise deal with or dispose of vehicles to enforce and collect fines for parking offences.
Letters to those with outstanding parking tickets will be sent this week, with a 60-day deadline to pay their fines. If fines are not paid within 60 days, offenders may have their vehicle towed and impounded until the outstanding fine is paid.
The Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com learned in March 2021 that there was roughly $940,000 in outstanding parking tickets stretching back to 2011. Furthermore, one motorist has allegedly racked up more than 225 tickets and $20,000 in parking penalties. Meanwhile, City hall confirmed in September 2022 that there was more than $1 million in uncollected parking fines.
Moose Jaw contracts parking enforcement services to the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) for $215,000 annually, so if residents fail to pay parking tickets voluntarily, the police prosecute the offenders in court.
In 2023, the city anticipated collecting $200,000 in revenue from outstanding parking tickets and increased meter use. In 2024, the goal was to collect $265,000. However, it’s not known how successful the municipality has been in recovering that amount.
As of December 2022, the city estimated there were $1,080,000 in uncollected parking fines that 4,017 people held. This included:
- Less than $100 owed: 2,237 motorists and $184,875 outstanding
- Between $100 and $500: 1,307 motorists and $312,470 outstanding
- Between $500 and $1,000: 302 motorists and $210,490.12 outstanding
- Between $1,000 and $5,000: 163 motorists and $280,503.72 outstanding
- Over $5,000: Eight motorists and $88,715 outstanding
Details on all payment options available will be posted on the parking page of www.moosejaw.ca. Anyone with questions should contact the legislative services and enforcement department at 306-694-4487 or [email protected].
The city reminds motorists, “Don’t be #NotoriouslyOutstanding. Pay your fine.”
