On November 9, 2024, at approximately 3:30, I was driving from North of Edmonton through St.Albert.
About an hour into my drive, my vehicle's low coolant warning light came on. I stopped at Mr. Lube in St.Albert , where the manager informed me that my vehicle requires a specific coolant they did not carry.
He directed me to the nearby Canadian Tire, and instructed me to pull up in front of the service bay doors, go inside, and ask for assistance.
I followed those instructions and arrived at the Canadian Tire.
I parked directly in front of the service bay doors, with no vehicles in front of or behind me.
My vehicle remained running because it was cold outside.
I locked the doors and my 13-year-old son remained inside. The service door was approximately 10 feet away.
I went inside, spoke to an employee, purchased the coolant, and returned outside.
At that moment, I discovered that my vehicle was gone.
I believed someone had stolen my vehicle with my child inside.
Approximately 15 seconds later, my vehicle came driving around the side of the building at speed, operated by a male Canadian Tire employee. He parked the vehicle in a stall. I ran to the vehicle, and the man told me "it wasn't a big deal." I told him that it was extremely serious and that I had not given anyone permission to enter or operate my vehicle. My son told me that the employee coaxed him into unlocking the door, asking him "where's your dad?" and saying we couldn't park there. My son told the employee I had just gone inside to get help.
My son repeated to the employee that he did not want to move the vehicle and the employee yelled out to other technicians that he didn't want to move the car because there was a child inside. According to my son, multiple staff members encouraged the employee to "just move it." After the employee told me it wasn't a big deal while waking away from my car, I followed him inside and asked to speak with a manager.
I spoke to the service manager Named Peter, who admitted they moved my vehicle because it was "blocking their bay," despite the fact that:
I did not authorize entry or operation of my vehicle
I never gave them my keys
My vehicle was not obstructing any moving vehicles
My minor child was locked inside
No emergency or danger existed
The service advisor Nadine also laughed at me when I was visibly shaking and upset.
This incident involved:
Unauthorized entry and operation of my vehicle
Removal and control of a vehicle with a minor inside without consent
Coercion of a minor to unlock a vehicle
Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
Severe emotional distress for both me and my son
I am requesting that this incident be formally documented. I am willing to provide witness statements, contact information, and follow-up details as needed.
I left a voicemail for Peter's boss Guy, never got a call back. I called and spoke to the store manager who listened to what took place told me he would do an investigation and get back to me haven't heard back from anyone. This is extremely serious and illegal and no one at a store level seem to care. I am escalating this situation as high as possible! Highly unacceptable! read more