A grieving father in British Columbia is facing anger and frustration after being forced to pay for a photo radar ticket in Alberta that he believes his deceased son received a decade ago. Mike Boissonneault lost his son Adrian six years ago in a traffic collision and recently received a notice stating that a vehicle registered to him was caught speeding in Alberta in 2014. Boissonneault believes the ticket was likely received by his son when he briefly studied in Alberta in 2014 and he did not pay it. Despite sending documents, including Adrian’s death certificate, to Alberta officials, Boissonneault’s arguments have gone unheard, leading him to believe that it is a money grab.
Due to the lack of knowledge about the ticket until recently, Boissonneault did not show up in court for his hearing in Leduc. He was informed that he could still fight the ticket, but would have to do so in person in Alberta or risk having the money taken out of his 2023 tax return by the Canada Revenue Agency. Boissonneault feels that it is unjust to be penalized for a ticket that he was unaware of and that the only option provided to dispute it involves additional time and expenses. He expressed frustration at the situation, viewing it as a form of taxation rather than justice.
The rules around photo radar tickets in Alberta are clear, according to Charlie Pester, who heads the group POINTTS: The Traffic Ticket Specialists. If a car registered in someone’s name is caught on camera speeding, the registered owner will be responsible for the ticket, even if they were not the one driving at the time. Pester explained that contesting these types of tickets can be done by applying to set aside a conviction, which essentially erases the previous conviction and sets a new trial date. However, many people choose not to contest photo radar tickets due to the hassle and potential additional costs involved.
Boissonneault expressed his disbelief at the situation, noting that the time, money, and effort spent by government officials in pursuing a $148 ticket over a span of 10 years far exceeds the actual value of the ticket itself. Despite his attempts to defend his innocence and explain the circumstances surrounding the ticket, Boissonneault has faced challenges in being heard by officials. The Minister of Justice in Alberta stated that the government cannot intervene in private legal matters, including rescinding tickets, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence in the justice system.
The case highlights the complexities and challenges that can arise in dealing with traffic violations, especially when they involve multiple jurisdictions and unforeseen circumstances such as the death of the individual originally responsible for the ticket. Boissonneault’s experience underscores the importance of understanding the legal implications of lending a vehicle to someone else, as well as the potential consequences of not addressing traffic violations in a timely manner. Moving forward, he faces the decision of either pursuing further legal action to dispute the ticket or accepting the financial consequences imposed by the government.
