TORONTO – TIFF has taken over the streets of Toronto and illegally parked cars have been spotted along busy roads during rush hour.
Mayor John Tory says TIFF vehicles are not exempt from the crackdown on illegally parked cars.
“I am not prepared to stand here and say that TIFF cars… they should not be blocking traffic,” Tory said.
“The festival is almost over – thank goodness it’s been a great success again – we will have to take up with them for the rest of this week and next year the fact that if they want to let people off or if they want to have TIFF cars transport people around, they should find some place around the corner… to park.”
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Tory has previously pushed for an illegal parking blitz to get Toronto streets moving and warned citizens another crackdown is scheduled sometime this fall.
Eric Jensen, film manager from the City of Toronto, says the city is in consultation with Toronto Police Services and parking enforcement to accommodate TIFF.
“While the City of Toronto does not issue parking permits for TIFF vehicles, we do meet with members of Toronto Police Services and their parking enforcement area in advance of the festival to discuss public safety strategies related to some of the main TIFF venues – as large crowds do develop at these locations,” Jensen said in a statement.
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“This results in the placement of barricades and the issuing of lane occupation permits that help ensure the safety of the public and the TIFF talent/celebrities arriving at and leaving these venues.”
TIFF closures will last till Sept. 21.
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