11-hour wait, 3-hour parking limit: Man ticketed while stuck in B.C. passport line
The Richmond resident had spent approximately 11 hours waiting in line for his travel documents, but the adjoining parking lot of Central City Mall, where the Service Canada office is located, has a three-hour limit.
"I was annoyed," Diaz told CTV News. "If the wait is this long, they shouldn't be penalizing us."
Lengthy waits have become the norm at many passport offices as Service Canada works through a massive backlog of applications, despite the recent implementation of a new triage process designed to save people time in the queue.
When Diaz arrived at Central City at around 3 a.m. Wednesday, he said there were already about 20 people lined up, including a couple with a baby. He never considered parking limitations while setting up the chair where he'd be sitting through the early morning hours, before finally seeing an agent at around 2 p.m.
When he was inside the passport office, he noticed signs alerting people about the parking lot's three-hour limit, but by then he was reluctant to move his car.
"I don't think anyone wanted to leave the room and risk losing our turn," he said.
According to the mall's website, there are parking spots available for extended hours – for a price – at "offsite and adjacent surface and underground lots."
While Diaz acknowledged he made a mistake, he still believes there should be exceptions for people trapped in the passport lineup, which is a daily occurrence. He told CTV News he wanted to share his story to prevent someone else from getting dinged with their own $80 fine.
CTV News has reached out to Concord Parking, which issued the ticket, to ask about possible exceptions for people waiting at the mall for passport service, but has not heard back.
Diaz also praised Service Canada's new triage system, which helped him see an agent and ensure his passport was ready for pickup by Thursday, one day before his scheduled flight to London.
His parking ticket does sting, however, especially after he was forced to pay an extra $100 for an expedited temporary passport.
His current passport isn't expired or lost, but he mailed it to Service Canada in May to get a certified copy, and is still waiting to receive it back.
"An agent said I should definitely get my passport back because it was just a copy request, but apparently they're so backlogged that they haven't gotten to it yet," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Vatican shelves sexual assault probe into Cardinal Marc Ouellet
Pope Francis is declaring that there is not enough evidence to open a canonical investigation for sexual assault against Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet. The pontiff made the statement Thursday through the director of the Holy See press office.
BREAKING
BREAKING | Trump Organization CFO pleads guilty in tax evasion case
A top executive at former U.S. President Donald Trump's family business pleaded guilty Thursday to evading taxes in a deal with prosecutors that could potentially make him a star witness against the company at a trial this fall.
Advocates say use of NDAs should be banned in sexual misconduct settlements
In the wake of the Hockey Canada scandal, some advocates are calling for the use of non-disclosure agreements to be banned or restricted in settlement agreements in cases involving abuse.
Majority of people with Omicron don't know they have it: study
A new study has found that more than half of people infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were unaware they had it. Undiagnosed infections could be the reason why the variant spread so rapidly, according to researchers.
Canada-wide shortage of liquid Children's Tylenol now also impacting chewables
A nationwide shortage of liquid Children’s Tylenol is also impacting generic chewables, with Quebec-based Laboratoire Riva reporting a shortage due to rising demand.
No drugs, just lots of dancing at 'wild' party: Finland PM Sanna Marin
Finland's prime minister says she did not take any drugs during a 'wild' party in a private home, adding she did nothing wrong when letting her hair down and partying with friends.
Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's 'Plan to Stay Open' involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy hosts talks with UN chief, Turkey leader
Turkey's president and the UN chief met with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy on Thursday in a high-stakes bid to ratchet down a war raging for nearly six months, boost desperately needed grain exports and secure the safety of Europe's biggest nuclear power plant.
Keremeos Creek wildfire: B.C. officials lift all evacuation orders, some remain on alert
Local authorities in British Columbia's Okanagan region say all evacuation orders around the so-called Keremeos Creek wildfire near Penticton have been rescinded.
Vancouver Island
-
NEW
NEW | Cliff jumper suffers serious injuries in plunge at Comox Lake
A 20-year-old man was airlifted to hospital Tuesday after he suffered serious injuries while cliff jumping at Comox Lake, near Cumberland, B.C. Firefighters and paramedics were called to a spot known as Devil's Ladder, a 30-metre rock face that has long attracted adventure-seekers.
-
E-bike stolen from Nanaimo hospital worker while on shift
Nanaimo RCMP are looking for a stolen e-bike that was swiped outside of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Wednesday night.
-
Search for Victoria man missing in Spain widens to neighbouring countries
The family of a Victoria man who has been missing in Spain for more than a month say they are broadening their search to neighbouring countries.
Calgary
-
Woman killed, man injured in early morning Evergreen shooting
Calgary police are investigating a shooting in the community of Evergreen that left one person dead and another fighting for their life.
-
Pedestrian killed by CTrain in city's southwest
One person is dead after they were hit by a CTrain along Bow Trail shortly after midnight.
-
Team releases endangered northern leopard frog tadpoles into B.C. wetlands
More than 1,900 tadpoles of the endangered northern leopard frog have been released into the wild in the last few months.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton activates emergency weather response with hot weekend ahead
The city has activated its extreme weather response to keep vulnerable people safe during the hot weather forecasted over the weekend.
-
2 charged in glasses heist from Fort Saskatchewan business, 1 still at large
Two people have been arrested and charged after more than $50,000 in frames were stolen from a Fort Saskatchewan eye care clinic earlier this week.
-
Motorcyclist airlifted from scene of Highway 16 crash
A motorcyclist was flown by STARS to a hospital in Edmonton Wednesday night after a crash with a motorhome on Highway 16 east of Edmonton.
Toronto
-
Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's 'Plan to Stay Open' involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.
-
Here's the reaction to Ontario's health-care system changes
Ontario health-care workers, advocates and politicians say they are "deeply troubled" by the slew of health-care and long-term care announcements released Thursday.
-
Ontario police warn fraudsters are posing as fire personnel, selling fake 'safety kits'
An Ontario police force is warning of a new scam in which fraudsters are allegedly posing as fire officials and attempting to sell fake “safety kits.”
Montreal
-
2 dead in Laurentians in presumed domestic violence, children in youth protection
A case of alleged domestic violence has left two people dead and two children in youth protection in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac.
-
Vatican shelves sexual assault probe into Cardinal Marc Ouellet
Pope Francis is declaring that there is not enough evidence to open a canonical investigation for sexual assault against Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet. The pontiff made the statement Thursday through the director of the Holy See press office.
-
Quebec COVID-19 vaccinations increase as infection rates remain stable
The number of Quebecers receiving treatment for COVID-19 has increased by eight, according to public health officials.
Winnipeg
-
Eviction warnings handed to longtime Manitoba legislature encampments
Eviction warnings have been given to two longtime encampments on the Manitoba legislature grounds.
-
Suspects riding ATV shot 4-year-old girl: Manitoba RCMP
The Manitoba RCMP alleges that a four-year-old girl was shot by two suspects riding around on an ATV in Norway House on Tuesday.
-
'We feel settled': Pukatawagan residents to return home thanks to temporary generators
A community in northern Manitoba evacuated over a month ago due to the threat of wildfire can return home thanks to the installation of a pair of temporary generators.
Saskatoon
-
Province, VIDO encourage booster doses as COVID-19 is once again on the rise
University of Saskatchewan researchers say the viral load of COVID-19 in Saskatoon’s wastewater has shown a week-over-week increase the past month, potentially meaning cases of the virus are on the rise.
-
Sask. RCMP warning of text message scam
Saskatchewan RCMP is warning people of a text message came happening around the province.
-
Some parents facing affordability challenges with increased school supply prices
With the first day of classes looming, some parents shopping for school supplies are facing affordability challenges with higher priced essentials.
Regina
-
Here's how many parking tickets have been issued in Regina this year
The number of parking tickets issued in Regina through the first six months of the year is up 115 per cent from 2021 levels.
-
Sask. harvest progress reaches 5 per cent: crop report
Harvest progress has reached five per cent across Saskatchewan, just behind the five-year average of eight percent for the week of Aug. 9-15, according to the latest provincial crop report.
-
'Step in the right direction': Sask. government works to end healthcare disruption in Balcarres
The Town of Balcarres has been delivered a new set of promises from the provincial government regarding the reopening of the lab department at the Balcarres Integrated Care Centre.
Atlantic
-
Saint John Police investigating Wednesday afternoon homicide
Police say three unidentified masked men with dark clothing forced their way into an apartment where 39-year-old Justin David Breau was stabbed. The suspects ran away towards Garden Street before police arrived.
-
Number of New Brunswickers waiting in hospital for nursing home beds increases, again
Despite promises that it’s a priority, the number of people, mostly seniors, waiting in New Brunswick hospitals for a nursing home bed has increased, according to numbers collected by the Coalition for Seniors’ Rights.
-
Pain, fever medicines for children scarce on pharmacy shelves
The IWK Health Centre says its inpatient and emergency supplies of liquid acetaminophen and ibuprofen products is adequate.
London
-
London man arrested in St. Catherines after armed robbery in North Bay: Police
A London, Ont. man has been arrested in St. Catherines in relation to an armed robbery in North Bay. On Aug. 16, Niagara Regional Police Service notified officers in St. Catherines that a wanted person may be in the area. On Aug. 17, police found and arrested a suspect in the area of Montebello Park, in St. Catharines.
-
Woodstock man charged after witnesses report explosions
Just after 5 a.m. on Wednesday, and again around 10:30 p.m., police responded to a parking lot at the intersection of Wilson Street and Peel Street to investigate a weapons-related call.
-
Two people, one horse injured following Elgin County crash
OPP in Elgin County are on scene of a crash involving an electric bike and a pickup truck hauling a livestock trailer. According to police, two people and one horse were injured in the crash that happened just after 7 a.m. at a Lyons Line, Malahide Township address
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. MPP begs province to stop the closure remote community's only health care option
With another small northern Ontario community set to lose its only health care provider at the end of the month, Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas is begging the province for help.
-
Majority of people with Omicron don't know they have it: study
A new study has found that more than half of people infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were unaware they had it. Undiagnosed infections could be the reason why the variant spread so rapidly, according to researchers.
-
As home prices drop, here's what you can get in Canada's most affordable markets
CTVNews.ca has compiled a list of homes in some of the most affordable regions across Canada, as many real estate markets see drops in average prices.
Kitchener
-
Woodstock man charged in connection to explosives investigation
An investigation into reports of explosions has resulted in a Woodstock man’s arrest.
-
'It's never been enough': ODSP recipients struggle to make ends meet
Earlier this week, the Ontario government announced it is following through with an earlier promise to bolster the support people receive through ODSP, but advocates say the government needs to do more to address the living wage gap those living on ODSP face.
-
Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's 'Plan to Stay Open' involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.