The Corps of Commissionaires, which enforces municipal parking in the downtown area, has been directed by city officials to show a little mercy to people picking up takeout food from restaurants.
"We have... instructed the Commissionaires to monitor restaurant areas for patrons doing pick up and to give it a bit of extra time and to be flexible," says Brent Lamming, the city's director of community services.
Those eateries that remain open in Sault Ste. Marie have closed their dining rooms and are restricted to takeout and delivery service because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, some SooToday readers have been questioning whether it's really necessary to continue parking enforcement, given the extraordinary circumstances.
"With everything going on in the world right now – don’t touch surfaces that have not been sanitized, don’t use cash – the majority of our economy is shut down and so many now unemployed, does it make sense that our city still has parking meter attendants out giving tickets?" one reader asked us. "Many communities across Canada have stopped enforcing parking fees altogether. Why not here? Can you talk to the city and help your readers understand this thinking?"
"We continue to monitor parking enforcement across the province," Lamming told us.
"We have been advised that North Bay is the only one we are aware of that is waiving parking at this point in time. The following municipalities have confirmed they are still enforcing parking that we have contacted: Sudbury, Timmins, Barrie, Sarnia, Peterborough, Thunder Bay. We are fortunate to have Passport mobile app that limits contact."
"As with most things during this time, we are continuing to monitor the situation and will make adjustments as required," Lamming told us.
