When Tony Fernandes paid his vehicle registration before the due date in March, he never expected months later to be slapped for a $438 ticket, claiming it wasn't paid on time. Now he's livid with the automobile insurance board, the SAAQ.
"I did things legally... this is fraud. This is the fraud by the government, by the SAAQ," he said.
The cheque he sent to the SAAQ was dated for March 31 and sent prior to that, but it was only cashed on April 15, said Fernandes.
The delay forced Fernandes to be hit with the late-payment fine, which he is now contesting.
"I said, 'You guys made a mistake. I paid for it; I have proof,'" he said.
CTV's Tania Krywiak called the SAAQ, and they admitted the error.
In an e-mail to CTV, they wrote, "The SAAQ did in fact receive the renewal of his vehicle registration," adding "due to administrative delays, the SAAQ proceeded on April 15.
An incident has left Fernandes sour with the SAAQ.
"You can send a cheque to the SAAQ three months in advance, six months in advance, if they decide to cash it a day after the due date, according to them... they have the power - the superpower - to penalize it," he said.
Fernandes now has to follow court procedure to fight his ticket. He's pleaded not guilty, and the SAAQ is expected to provide a letter to the court explaining what happened. When they do, Fernandes is expected to be let off the hook.
His advice to others: pay close attention to all your papers, cheques and bills.
