Parking fees head to court

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All week, blue-collar workers have been busy clearing snow from city streets--which means green onions have also been busy handing out tickets to car owners. But anyone who's recently been ticketed may want to write the words "paid under protest" when they ante up. Local lawyer Charles O'Brien is attempting to launch a class-action lawsuit against the city of Montreal, challenging the fees that are tacked on to all parking tickets.

A typical parking infraction costs $42, which includes a $30 fine and a $12 fee. In some cases that fee is higher, and in cases of late payment fees can balloon to the hundreds of dollars. O'Brien says the fees must correspond with the actual costs of handing out the ticket, and he believes they don't.

"People who have paid tickets in the past or who have paid tickets under protest can become part of the class," says Geeta Narang, a law student working with O'Brien on the case. "By paying under protest, people assert their right to be reimbursed any 'fees' which exceed the costs incurred."

For more information on the specifics of the suit, call Geeta Narang at 289-8629. :

--Philip Preville

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