Starting in May 2016, all Quebecers will be able to purchase handicap parking permits at any SAAQ outlet. The permits will give anyone the possibility of using handicap parking spaces across the province.
For years, drivers have vented frustration at how handicapped people get all the best spots in a parking lot. It seems that finally the SAAQ is finally coming around and taking measures to make good parking spots accessible to all.
SAAQ Spokesperson Jean-Sylvestre Laliberté explained the situation to MontrealRacing.com in a phone interview earlier today :
“We had all of these empty parking spots just taking up space all over the province. By charging a fee to let anyone use them, we make parking easier for the real drivers and make money at the same time. I don’t know why it took so long to make the change” Laliberté said.
MontrealRacing.com pressed him on what would happen when a real handicapped person wasn’t able to find a spot because they were all taken.
“It will be just like system the airlines use. Airlines often overbook flights and sometimes people who are supposed to get on flights aren’t able to. Airlines compensate them and everybody is happy”.
In order to get compensated by the SAAQ in such a situation, handicapped people will need to
- Park in another spot
- Photograph all the handicapped parking spots to prove they were all taken
- Go to an SAAQ outlet and fill out a special form
Quebec will be the first province to implement this new regulation. If other provinces see the benefit then they could adopt it as well. Fortunately it’s April fool’s day so none of this will happen.
