Saskatoon cancels all parking tickets issued on Monday

The City of Saskatoon has cancelled all parking tickets issued on Monday because of thewidespread assumption that the day was a statutoryholiday, which would have meant parking was free.

But the city did not recognize Jan. 2 as a statutory holidayand was OK to chargepeople on that day under the bylaw.

City spokesman AndrewHildebrandtsaid thecity became aware of the misunderstandingthe following day.

"Complaintshad come in about the confusion regarding some individuals thinking it should have been free: Those who didn't pay got tickets, and then those who did pay saying, 'Hey, what about me?" Hildebrandtsaid.

About 350 parking tickets were issued in the paid parking areas that dayand so far only a "handful" have been paid, he said. The city will reimburseall payments. Cash refunds will beavailable at City Hall on Jan. 9.

The city will work to preventsimilarconfusionfrom happening again,Hildebrandtsaid.

"The biggest part is to make sure we're just clear on this in the future," he said."It's not our intention to try and trap or trick anybody with parking."