This is a cautionary tale for my fellow Albertans. On August 10th, in the Costco parking lot, St. Albert bylaw placed a municipal violation ticket for $310.00 for an expired plate on my wife's parked car. Note that a distracted driving ticket is $287.00.
I am the one responsible for paying vehicle registration in my house, which I have done for more than two decades. A notice was annually received in May and I would pay in June, but not this year. In its wisdom, Service Alberta decided it would no longer provide mailed notices as of April 1, 2016 to save money. I am told that public awareness was given in the form of social media, newspapers and radio ads – none of which I partake in.
My calendar is full of scheduled events and alarms, but the mailer was my sole method for this notice. I have spoken to many people about this and most had no idea of the change.
Check your vehicle registration and license renewal to avoid falling victim to this spurious form of taxation.
Jeff Hayman, St. Albert
