After parking her car, Carole opened her PaybyPhone app to pay the meter online. Unbeknownst to her, a technical issue prevented the payment from going through and Carole returned to her car to find a parking ticket. She took it to adjudication.

At the hearing, Carole presented evidence of her attempt to pay for parking using the app. Afterward, the city responded in writing, informing Carole that an adjudicator decided in the city’s favour. Carole would have to pay the fine plus a $25 administration fee.

Reading the letter, Carole believed the adjudicator failed to fairly consider her evidence. As a last resort, Carole came to us.

At the hearing, Carole was offered an opportunity to submit evidence to support her position and could present further evidence and challenge the city’s evidence presented during the hearing.

Our investigation determined Carole’s evidence was fairly considered and the decision was made on “a balance of probabilities” that the contravention had occurred, consistent with the Local Government Bylaw Notice Enforcement Act.

It appeared the adjudicator followed a reasonable process when adjudicating Carole’s parking ticket. However, we were concerned that the decision letter did not include reasons for the adjudicator’s decision. We asked the city to provide Carole with a copy of the statement of reasons from the adjudicator and suggested the city make the statement of reasons available to all people whose parking ticket appeals are denied at adjudication. The city agreed to both suggestions. We informed Carole of the result.