Ontario Municipalities Welcome Long-Awaited Tools to Collect Unpaid Fines

TORONTO, March 20, 2013 /CNW/ - The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is pleased with legislation introduced today by the Government of Ontario, and supported by all political parties, that would deny license plates to those who have failed to pay fines for offences under the Provincial Offences Act (POA).

"Municipalities have long pressed for these powers, which will help recoup millions of dollars for municipalities and most importantly, will ensure that individuals are held responsible for their actions and that justice is served," said Russ Powers, AMO President.

Besides denying license plates for unpaid fines related to violations such as speeding tickets, careless driving and driving with no insurance, the proposal makes it easier for municipalities to pursue out-of-province drivers who run red lights or fail to stop for school buses.

Responsibility for POA administration, including courts and fine collection, was transferred to municipalities in 1997.

AMO's long standing call for new tools to collect POA fines was one of its '12 Asks' in the 2011 Ontario provincial election. AMO will continue to work with the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of the Attorney General to complete other pending changes in the provincial-municipal action plan to improve POA fine collection.

At present the administrative changes necessary to support this legislation may take two years to complete.  AMO urges the government to complete these changes as quickly as possible so that municipalities will be able to collect the fines owing.

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments.  AMO supports and enhances strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada's political system.

SOURCE: Association of Municipalities of Ontario

Brian Lambie, AMO Media Contact, 416-729-5425, [email protected]
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