Parking fines confirmed legal

Provincial legislation introduced last month has affirmed that BC universities have the authority to regulate parking on their campuses through the use of fines.In April, the BC Supreme Court ruled that UBC did not have the power to issue parking fines under the University Act. At that time,UVic ceased to issue parking fines and, instead, Campus Security Services issued tickets warning car owners that a subsequent violation would result in their cars being towed or immobilized.

UVic resumed issuing parking fines in July when the court stayed that portion of the judgment. “We’re grateful to the provincial government for this legislation and for making it retroactive so UVic does not have to divert resources from other programs to refund previously collected parking fines,” says UVic Vice-President Finance and Operations Gayle Gorill. “This would also have been unfair to the vast majority of people who paid their parking fees and avoided fines.” Parking fees help cover the cost of maintaining parking facilities and contribute towards transportation demand management initiatives.