I got this university wide email:
[font class="webmail-channel-text"]Parking regulation and towing remain in effect at UBC
The University of British Columbia today issued the following
statement in response to a decision on common issues in a class action
lawsuit that was issued March 30 by Mr. Justice Goepel of the Supreme
Court of BC.
Parking regulation and enforcement by towing at UBC will continue
following a Supreme Court of BC judgment this week that decided common
issues in a class action lawsuit challenging the manner in which UBC
has collected parking fines and towing charges since 1990.
The litigation remains ongoing. Although the common issues have been
decided, the Court has not adjudicated on any individual claims. In
particular, the Court has not made any award requiring UBC to refund
any specific fines and any award will be subject to UBC's own claims
for set-off damages.
UBC's parking regulations remain in force. This means that pay parking
spaces, handicapped parking spaces, emergency vehicles lanes, and
other parking restrictions must continue to be respected and that
users must continue to pay for the parking spaces that they are
permitted to use.
The Court's decision on the common issues impacts UBC's ability to
charge fines. However, UBC continues to be entitled to tow vehicles
and to collect damages (including towing and other costs) from the
vehicle owners if the vehicles are parked in contravention of the
parking regulations.
UBC's parking regulations serve the best interests of the entire
University community. Without them, traffic congestion on campus would
increase for everybody. Emergency vehicle access and general safety
would deteriorate. UBC would no longer have a pedestrian- and bicycle-
friendly campus and UBC's sustainability and livability goals would be
seriously compromised. Parking is a limited resource at UBC.
Historically, fines have been used to make these regulations
meaningful so that parking resources could be allocated in a fair
manner among the various members of the University community who
desire access to parking. UBC has vigourously defended its right to
charge fines for this reason and is therefore appealing the Court's
decision on this important issue. It would be unfortunate if UBC was
required to resort to the stronger action of towing vehicles in order
to ensure safety and fairness within the community.[/font]
