Hundreds of tickets issued for misusing accessible parking permits in Ottawa parking spaces
Hundreds of tickets have been issued this fall to vehicles illegally parking in accessible parking spaces in Ottawa lots.
Bylaw Services says 490 tickets have been issued to vehicles illegally parked in accessible parking spaces since Oct. 1.
"We have noticed an increase in misuse of accessible parking spaces in our city," Bylaw Services said on X.
"No permit? No excuse."
The fine for misusing an accessible parking permit is $500.
On October 22, a bylaw officer checking accessible parking permits in a grocery store parking lot in Orléans issued seven tickets in a two-hour period.
Five tickets were issued for using a permit that belonged to someone else, while one driver was using a fake accessible parking permit.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Michael Lalonde, City of Ottawa Program Manager for Parking Control and Logistics, says the number of tickets handed out this year is up 11 per cent over last year.
"This year, to date, we've issued so far 2,701 parking tickets. The set fines for this infraction would be an early payment $400, and the set fine of $500."
Lalonde says they're seeing a lot of photocopied parking permits.
"What we are seeing also is a lot of these permits being photocopied, distributed because of the benefits that come with having an accessible parking space, even in the downtown spots or even in a general convenience store," Lalonde said. "So, we are seeing a lot of permits being duplicated and, and where the permit holders not with the vehicle or with the driver."
Other cases include expired permits that have been altered to hide the date.
"I just think people are busy and it's convenient to for just five minutes of parking a spot, but not taking the consideration of the needs for someone who actually might need that spot because of their accessibility needs," he said.
Kyle Humphrey is an Ottawa resident with accessibility needs and says he's happy to see the city cracking down.
"I am so grateful that things are finally being tackled. The number of times I have pulled into a spot ... or tried to pull into a spot and had someone there, who didn't need the spot, or who had their parents pass," he said. "It means no Christmas shopping for me. It means no going to see friends. It means basically not being able to get out of the car. And, yeah, I mean, someone might be able to drop someone off and I have the luxury of being able to hold my chair while I go somewhere… But there are parents with children who require these spaces."
"The people that lose out of all this are the people who actually need the spots, who took the time to go get their doctor and get this permit, and who still want to enjoy their life and basically go to these stores with the same rights that we all do," said Lalonde.
"I think it's more important now than ever that we consider people's accessibility and specialist parking spots in the future."
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Natalie van Rooy
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Jewish pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Ottawa parliament building
A group of Jewish-Canadian activists protesting Israel's ongoing armed offensive in Gaza have occupied a parliamentary building in Ottawa on Tuesday morning.
Canadian among three climbers missing on New Zealand's highest peak
A Canadian is among three climbers missing after they'd planned to climb New Zealand's highest peak.
Toronto library apologizes after staff at east-end branch refuse to help lost girl
The Toronto Public Library is apologizing after staff at a branch in the city’s east end refused to provide a lost child with access to a telephone.
Canada Post removes deadline for Santa letter program amid strike
Canada Post says it has removed the deadline for its Santa Claus letter program amid an ongoing national workers' strike that has halted mail delivery leading up to the holiday season.
2 Ontario men charged after police seize US$40M in suspected cocaine from tractor-trailer in Illinois
Two Ontario men are facing charges after police in the U.S. say they seized 540 kilograms of cocaine from a tractor-trailer along Interstate 80 in Illinois.
Quebec prisons on lockdown after correctional officer severely beaten
Quebec prisons were in lockdown on Tuesday after a correction officer at the Sorel-Tracy detention centre was attacked this week.
This salad brand is being recalled again. Here's why
A Taylor Farms salad kit is being recalled over concerns of a salmonella contamination, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
After meeting with Trump, Trudeau to brief opposition leaders
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with all opposition leaders today before question period to brief them about his meeting with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.
Young Manitoba woman dies after medical emergency during dental appointment
The Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) said it is investigating a critical incident where a young woman from the Morden-Winkler area died following a dental appointment.