Council for the RM of Hanover has approved a Traffic Bylaw, enabling the municipality to now regulate traffic, parking and the orderly use of public roads and streets. Chief Administrative Officer Luc Lahaie says Hanover has consolidated several bylaws, including its Truck Parking Bylaw, No Truck Route Bylaw, Roads and Drains Bylaw and Littering Bylaw. 

According to Lahaie, it was about ten years ago when the province removed some of the powers of municipal Bylaw Enforcement Officers. He says this meant officers were there more to educate the public, rather than issue tickets.

"The public, they were starting to get aware that we didn't have the authority to do certain ticketing," suggests Lahaie.

But, now that the province has given those powers back, Lahaie says they have the authority to issue tickets and also to enforce them. 

"Now we have the power to ticket and then to enforce that ticket if it's not paid," he notes. "We thank the province for allowing us to do that, to keep our streets safe." 

Lahaie explains that fine amounts vary depending on the infraction. For example, someone caught parking illegally in a residential area can expect a fine of $40. If the resident makes arrangements to pay the fine early and say they are guilty with an explanation, the screening officer could possibly get that fine reduced to $20. 

Lahaie says the municipality also has the ability to be compensated eventually, even if the offender chooses not to pay. He explains they can register a lien on the vehicle through the personal property registry or file a judgment against the land at the provincial land titles office. If the guilty party still does not pay, Lahaie says they can report it to the resident's credit bureau.

"So eventually the municipality does get paid for the infraction," he adds. 

Hanover's Traffic Bylaw also includes Spring Road Restrictions. However, Lahaie says presently the RM of Hanover is not authorized to stop a vehicle with its bylaw enforcement truck. In such a scenario, a photo can be taken and the municipality can proceed with ticketing through photos.

Lahaie says passing this Traffic Bylaw addresses some safety concerns in the municipality. He notes there have been several occasions over the years where there has been parking on both sides of the street and an ambulance or fire truck could not pass through. Lahaie says this then becomes very dangerous for a resident needing emergency services. 

"We hope that this will be the way to fix the parking issues in our communities," he adds.