Convenient Answers to Common Questions
What Right do You Have to Fine Me?
Please note that our payment notices are not "tickets" and we do not impose "fines". Only a body authorized by statute (such as a municipality) may issue "tickets" or impose "fines."
The amount we claim on our notices represents:
- The debt owing to Imperial Parking under the law of contract (described above)
- In the alternative, it is our legal damages for a person trespassing on the private property we manage (on behalf of our client, the landlord &/or property manager.)
We grant permission to park only on the terms stated on the signs in each lot. For further details on our rights, please refer to our Parking Notices - Terms & Conditions.
Is What You do Legal?
Yes. We operate in full compliance with all:
- Local parking by-laws
- Local towing by-laws
- Other applicable federal and provincial laws
We also maintain a business license in every city and municipality in which we operate. For further details on the legality of our violation notice system, please refer to the section above entitled "Your Contract with Us."
It is never our intention to annoy our patrons by issuing and following up on payment notices. Rather, we believe that like any business, we are entitled to be paid for the services provided.
As an alternative to towing, our notices allow us to be flexible when the situation requires it.
Why are Your Parking Payment Notices so Expensive?
The amount charged on our notices is a genuine estimate of a portion of our costs for:
- Patrolling lots
- Enforcing our parking regulations
- Preliminary collection activities
We must pay for the employees and equipment (including vehicles, gas, uniforms, and computers) needed to:
- Patrol lots
- Issue payment notices
- Follow up on unpaid notices
As mentioned, the amount charged on a notice is reduced if paid within a specified time period. There are also increased administration costs such as postage, invoice production and staff time.
If it is not paid promptly, we must incur additional collection costs. For example, each province charges a fee to search license plate information.
In most cases, our notice amounts are comparable to the fines imposed by municipalities for by-law infractions. Please be aware that city-owned parking lots and street parking meters (and their employees and administration costs) are funded and maintained with tax dollars, and municipalities do not have to pay for access to vehicle records information.
We are a private company and do not receive any tax funding, yet we strive to provide the same if not greater standards of enforcement service.
Why Don't You Just Tow Vehicles?
Towing can be very costly and inconvenient for the vehicle owner. We reserve the right to tow any vehicle parked without permission. As a general rule, we may take this action under the following circumstances:
- Overdue payment notices
- Unauthorized parking in a reserved stall
- Blocking another vehicle
- Parking in a stall designated for those with physical disability without displaying a valid disabled-persons pass
- Parking in a hazardous way
As an alternative to towing, our payment notices allow us to be flexible when the situation requires it.
What Will Happen if I Don't Pay a Notice?
If the debt owed to us is not paid, the matter will be referred to a collection agency. If your vehicle is again parked on one of our lots without a valid receipt or pass, it may be towed. We also reserve the right to:
- Sue you in court for the unpaid debt
- Take any other legal action to which we are entitled
How Did You Get my Name and Address and What do you do With This Information?
Pay parking operators adhering to appropriate confidentiality standards are entitled to paid access to provincial vehicle ownership records. Our access agreement permits us, based on licence plates, to obtain basic information on vehicle owners, including:
This arrangement is permitted by the applicable freedom of information and personal privacy laws in your province of residence. The personal information obtained is:
- Strictly controlled
- Accessible only by certain trained and approved employees of Impark
The information may only be used for the specific purposes of:
- Following up on outstanding payment notices
- Initiating a lawsuit (if necessary)
We do not provide this information to any third parties other than Canada Post (for mailing purposes) and certain debt collection agencies. These collection agencies are held to strict confidentiality standards outlined in provincial debt collection legislation.
Impark's compliance with the usage, security and confidentiality provisions of our access agreements with the provinces is periodically audited by the applicable regulatory authorities.
How Does the Pay-by-Phone Service Avoid Parking Payment Notices?
Using the pay-by-cell service to start and stop your parking means you have better control when your parking finishes. This payment system helps you to avoid running out of time by sending you a text message to advise you that your parking privilege is about to expire and whether you wish to purchase additional time - all through the convenience of your cell phone. For more information on this service click here.
