By-Law Enforcement - Kitchener, Ontario

Johnny J. F.

My review was hidden from view, so I had to repost it. I had an extremely frustrating experience with Kitchener Parking Bylaw, specifically with a representative named Rosemary. I requested an extension on a deadline to provide a bank statement, which had been delayed in the mail — something completely beyond my control. I mistakenly believed I had until the end of September to submit it, but with everything I’m juggling these days, I forgot the exact deadline.

Instead of showing any understanding or flexibility, Rosemary flat-out refused my request in a hard-headed and dismissive manner, deeming it a closed case. It is within one’s rights to request that a case be reopened if a delay was caused by circumstances beyond their control, but Rosemary shut the door on that option too, acting like the miserable, overpaid city employee she is. I have 30 days from date of issue of the citation to contest it, and the request for the deadline extention was still within that time frame, but denied. As of today It still hasnt been 30 days, so I was in right to be given the requested extention.  But as "Rosemary" put it in her iwn words, "I don't have to."

The citation itself was complaint-based, not due to anything negligent such as blocking a driveway, impeding access, or ignoring posted signage. It is a complete cash grab bylaw, with no signage fir fair warning, for the sole purpose of extorting residence and unsuspecting visitors out of their money. Her approach was not only unhelpful but also unnecessarily rigid, leaving me without any reasonable accommodation despite the clear circumstances. A little professionalism, empathy, and problem-solving could have gone a long way — unfortunately, none of that was offered.

This kind of treatment does not reflect well on the City of Kitchener, and it makes dealing with the Parking Bylaw office far more difficult and frustrating than it should be. What goes around comes around. Thanks to the bylaw personnel I originally spoke to, I now know which neighbor filed the complaint. I’ll be addressing that directly, since this same neighbor owns three vehicles and regularly parks two on the street for more than three hours at a time — yet reported me simply because I parked in the spot he usually uses.

That breach of trust & privacy by Kitchener officials, outing the complainant to me, will only come back to bite them. As for the City of Kitchener — I’m done. I’ll never go back to that miserable town.

If you ever need to deal with Kitchener bylaw, avoid Rosemary at all costs, she is of no assistance.

Kelsi H.

Had a car parked in front of our driveway tonight. Unfortunately I didn't get the name of lady I called or the bylaw officer that showed up. When I called the lady I spoke with was very friendly and understanding. She clearly explained the process in which officers get dispatched depending on the call. From the time of my call to the time a bylaw officer showed up was maybe 20 minutes. The bylaw officer understood my frustration of a car blocking our driveway. Unfortunately could not tow the car because we share the end of our driveway with our neighbors so we are able to get out. He did ticket the car and told us to call back tomorrow if it hasn't moved. I wish I had gotten both their names because they were very understanding and easy to deal with. Thank you city of kitchener for you quick response and great service!

Gionta 0.

Why have an online reporting they never come out. Totally useless service. You never ever see them in Activa area during school time when people stop in the middle of road to let kids out and cars parked for hours upon hours without moving.

Dan H.

Why are they so strict with parking and giving tickets but when they have plenty of available parking yet they still choose to park in a clearly marked no park zone and too far from the curb. They would not hesitate to ticket you for. How are we suppose to respect this kind of operation when they dont even try to follow their own rules. JUST PATHETIC.
*I keep trying to upload pictures to show but they keep deleting it. Isnt that censorship, stopping me from showing your negligence. Do better. This isnt America.

Cait

They always come and ticket the people I need ticketed.

The problem is the tickets are only $20, and when parking is $10, they are saving money by paying tickets if they only get caught twice a week.

Make the tickets $100. Make money, and detour illegal parking. Please.

Nedal A. A. S.

The municipality issues absentee warrants in order to collect money from citizens, and this is what happened to me. I referred the matter to the administration and did not benefit anything. I was surprised in the mail to find a violation with a fine, and there was no violation on my car at all.

Mr M.

I the 1st caller, 8:30am, waited 15 minutes, was transferred to property standards agent said kept saying cutting out, call mainline from my same standing spot and same person from 8:30am says able to hear me clearly so fluff stuff by property standards agent. What's worse I call a third time mainline noontime after receiving Kitchener head supervisor's call/voicemail that apologized and told to call him instead, so I do that but autorecording says out of office until January 6 2025!, and mind you my call time 12:17pm and supervisor call at 10:46am, and he gone from work in under 2 hrs! I thought to self maybe out of office meant he on his lunch break and so call mainline 4th time! only to get runaround Jan 6 2025!! so essentially my complaint of property standards is to be brushed off to the side and won't get dealt with, and I wanted to complain too about 4th mainline call-answerer she very rude and started saying if you feel I'm rambling on you can ramble with somebody else and wouldn't so as to check up on my complaint on how progressing and what even got noted in file only saying no file put through from morning like for real!, then she after wouldn't elaborate, nor give answers, nor redirect to somebody better equipped to handle. All-around I had such a down bad awful call experience from supervisor on down, none of them doing a bleepin thing just showing up to clock-in and get an easy effortless paycheque, that so ain't OK!!

Greg H.

Called these guys last week about a truck running outside our business all day with no driver insight, to be told “ we’ll have someone sent out around an hour, and if they don’t come you can call us back.” Bad review after bad review. When we call you guys, it’s for a reason. Your lack of assistance and support as public servants is shameful. I called a couple years ago about an issue in my building and the young guy with a man bun came out and did f all. He was not helpful, disrespect, even rude. So much that i wanted to hit him upside the head when dismissing and escorting him out of my unit. This organization needs to shape up big time and better support our community.