Camp Fortune warns of police ticketing expired plates

Camp Fortune is reminding skiers not to show up with expired licence plates this winter, warning police will be checking parking lots in the area.

"Please make sure your vehicle/plate registration is up to date (go check now)," the Chelsea, Que. resort said in an email to customers on Wednesday.

"Local police visit the parking lots of many Chelsea and Wakefield businesses to check plates (Ontario and Quebec) and the fine is close to $500."

Even though the Ontario government scrapped the license plate renewal fees and stickers for passenger vehicles last year, vehicle owners must still renew their plates every one or two years online.

Last April, 82-year-old Gail Salmon told CTV News Ottawa she received a ticket in the mail from Quebec police for an expired Ontario license plate. She received a fine of $494.

The letter from Camp Fortune also warned people about obeying local speed limits and preventing thefts. All drivers are urged to respect the 50 km/h speed limit through much of Chelsea, and the 30 km/h speed limit in an area by Skyline through the construction area.

The resort is also reminding Quebec drivers to make sure they have their snow tires on.

"We do appreciate the local law enforcement and we welcome them on site to monitor for ski and snowboard theft," Camp Fortune said.

"We want to help you by informing you of the common infractions and issues. We urge our customers to be aware and be safe. You don’t want to have an expensive ski day."

Camp Fortune says the PSA was intended to inform skiers planning to head to the resort this winter, and not point the finger at police.

"While the police are here patrolling safety, making sure skis don't get stolen, they also do sometimes run plates - Quebec or Ontario," Camp Fortune director Erin Boucher said.

"Check for various violations - be it unlocked doors, be it lack of snow tires for Quebec residents or unregistered plates for Ontario residents."

We are not targeting Ontario drivers, police insist

Police in western Quebec insist officers checking for expired license plates are not just targeting out-of-province drivers.

"For sure we're not targeting Ontario people because we give as many tickets to some Quebec residents," Marc Carriere of the MRC-des-Collines de l'Outaouais police said.

Carriere says police want to make sure it's a safe trip to Camp Fortune and other spots in the area this winter.

"We're there to help people and to enforce bylaws, and make sure there's no theft or robbery in their cars or your equipment," Carriere said.

Some skiers question why police would be checking license plate sticker and vehicle registration in a parking lot.

"In traffic, you know, on the road is one thing but to come to a ski hill, it's bizarre," Marshall Jones said Thursday. "Is it the cash grab? Maybe. And I wouldn't be surprised if it is."

Josee Harding says seeing cops checking parking lots is "stressing a lot of people."

"We have ours renewed so I'm very happy about that. But I know it's a big stress coming here," Harding said.

Camp Fortune says it's important for skiers to be aware.

"We don't want angry customers and you don't want fines," Boucher said.