Moncton man calls for clear parking 'boot' rules

A Moncton man is calling for new rules to force companies that use the so-called boot to immobilize cars to post signs in lots where they use it.

Brian Goodfellow had to pay $96 after parking in a private lot on Highfield Street in Moncton.

Goodfellow said there were no warning signs at the entrance of the lot and the signs he finally saw, after his car was immobilized by a boot, were too small.

He said he's trying to raise a family on minimum wage and he's not sure what they will eat until his cheque next week

"I don't feel good about that because of the simple reason that it cost me to get my vehicle back, that was my food money for this week," he said.

"I just paid $96 to have my vehicle back, without my vehicle I can't go to work tomorrow morning for 6 a.m."

Goodfellow said the signs are poorly placed and are too small and confusing. He said there should be new rules forced on companies that use these parking boots to enforce their no-parking policies.

"Make the signs bigger and let everybody know what happens if you disobey the rules of where you're parking and what can happen if you're going to be towed, [and] be warned about it," he said.

"There was no warning where I was parked."

Company says signs are posted

Greg Kennedy, a spokesperson for the company that monitors the parking lot, said there are six signs on the property,

But Kennedy said some are small and one was lost after a snowplow hit it during the winter.

Parking boots have provoked a lot of reaction in recent years.

A Moncton city councillor raised the idea of banning parking boots in 2010.

There have also been concerns in Saint John about the use of the devices.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees demanded in February the provincial and federal governments resolve a parking problem at a public office.

Saint John's 1 Agar Place has provincial offices for social assistance and training needs. As well, there are federal offices for Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan inquiries.

Government employees have said many low-income clients have been devastated after their vehicles were locked with the boot while they were inside the building for appointments.