Some Nova Scotia residents are scratching their heads after being told to pay up for speeding fines allegedly incurred decades ago in New Brunswick.
Residents reported getting a letter from the Canada Revenue Agency, which said unless they pay their outstanding debt to the New Brunswick government, it will be deducted from their income tax refund.
John Kenny didn’t know what to think about the legitimacy of the letter he received.
“I was shocked. I didn't know what it was in reference to, and I had to get some more information on it,” said Kenny.
It turns out it was about a speeding ticket from the early 1990s — more than 20 years ago.
“I was living in the province of Prince Edward Island, a speeding ticket in New Brunswick, and I've been a resident of Nova Scotia for 21 years, so it's a little late,” he said.
Roger Newell had the same letter delivered to his Nova Scotia home.
“I do remember getting pulled over, and from my understanding the date that was on the ticket was a date when I was at sea,” Newell said.
“I called and asked them to change it so that I could go, and they said we'll get back to you,” he said.
They never did, and so the ticket was forgotten.
The CRA says it administers a refund collection program on behalf of provincial governments, but says the agency itself knows nothing about the debts.
The agency says a province can only request a refund from income tax if it has made every reasonable attempt to collect the debt by other means.
Kenny and Newell both owe just over $100, but they say it’s not about the money.
“It's a point of principle. I don't think they're doing it properly,” Newell said.
Kenny says he wants someone to prove to him this is a reasonable move before he pays.
He says the only proof offered — the two-decade old ticket — doesn’t prove anything at all.
“I don't have a choice to pay it. It's paid no matter what,” he said.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kayla Hounsell
