Montreal eases some parking rules after massive snowfall, but thousands still ticketed
Tolerance given to those in paid spots or parked in residential zones, enforcement agency says
Montreal has been showing some tolerance when it comes to issuing parking tickets for certain infractions given the exceptional snow accumulation, but thousands have still been issued.
The city's parking enforcement agency, Agence de mobilité durable de Montréal, told CBC News in a statement that it is showing tolerance for bans on parking reserved for residents (where stickers are usually required) and on-street paid parking spaces.
"These measures are exceptional and are aimed at returning traffic to normal as quickly and safely as possible," the statement says.
"However, the tolerance shown by our officers concerns these two types of offences, not all offences."
Despite the leniency, plenty of tickets are still being issued.
As of 7 a.m. on Monday, 6,659 tickets had been handed out over 10 days to vehicles breaking parking rules, according to the parking agency. Of those, 5,754 tickets — 86.4 per cent — resulted in towing.
When compared to previous years, the number of tickets issued and cars towed remains somewhat consistent, with 32,000 to 46,000 cars towed every season.
Parking at an angle, a common Montreal tactic when the city is blanketed in heavy snow, remains a ticketable offence.
The agency says the municipal bylaw allows angled parking only when specifically indicated by signs.
Cars parked at an angle risk being hit and can obstruct emergency vehicles, the agency says.
Guy Lapointe, division chief with the Montreal fire service, said fire trucks need to be able to pass.
"There could be issues with intersections where it's not possible to turn because it's just too tight given the snow or the way citizens might have parked their cars," he said.
Snowplows also struggle to get through.
Kateryna Charua is among those who woke up Monday to find her diagonally parked car had been struck by a snowplow. The damage is so bad, the car can't be driven.
She found a notice on her windshield from the city acknowledging the damages. She called the city, but was told she has to move the car herself or get a ticket.
"They told me there's nothing they can do. It's my responsibility to move the car," she said.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, speaking during a Monday news conference, encouraged drivers to follow the parking rules.
"I get that parking isn't always simple, but drivers still need to keep roads clear for snow removal," said Plante. "When a vehicle's in the way, everything has to stop."
The city's parking enforcement agency is prioritizing surveillance during snow-removal operations to ensure that parked vehicles do not obstruct the passage of snowplows and loading trucks.
It's important to keep an eye out for special signage and to move cars before the snow-clearance teams pass by, the agency says, noting there are some free overnight parking spots available as long as you move your car by 7 a.m.
A list of free parking can be found here.
Written by Isaac Olson, with files from Radio-Canada and CBC's Gabriel Guindi