Ontario town lets residents pay parking fines with holiday gifts

The holiday season is a special time of year that inspires many acts of kindness and goodwill — even for those who haven’t been so good on the roads.

Fortunately for residents of one Ontario town, the gift of giving just got easier.

That’s because authorities in Innisfil, Ont., are allowing anyone who was issued a parking ticket in the town between Nov. 20 and Dec. 9 to “Scrooge” it, which means alleged offenders are allowed to pay off the fine by donating food, toys or gift certificates to a local outreach program.

It’s the second year in a row that the town has offered the “Scrooge the Ticket” program to residents. Last year, the campaign managed to collect hundreds of special items, such as new toys, chocolates, baked goods and gift cards, which was valued at nearly $1,200. The donated gifts must be of equal or greater value to the parking ticket, which averages at around $30 per alleged offence.

“No one likes to get a parking ticket, but this is a thoughtful way to have our residents give generously to a great cause leading into the holiday season,” Innisfil Mayor Gord Wauchope said in a statement.

If you properly pay for your parking spot, but would still like to donate to the cause, you’re in luck. The campaign is opening to anyone who’s interested in contributing.