|
Ottawa's Provincial Offences Court
It’s time to pay that fine!
Have you ever tucked away speeding fines in the top drawer — and then forgotten about them?
Well, it's time to pay that fine!
The City collects all past due Provincial Offences Act fines and is responsible for the enforcement of fines in Superior and small claims court. According to provincial legislation, there is no time limitation for the collection of unpaid fines (reference: Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 24, Schedule B, Section 16 (1)(i)(i)).
Notices - Important Information
Failure to pay - Enforcement activities
Payment Methods
Types of Provincial Offences Act Violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Notices - Important Information
People with outstanding fines will receive one of the following notices with instructions on how to pay their fine:
- Overdue Notice
- Final Notice
- Legal Notice
- Unpaid Notice
If you receive a notice, please call 613-580-2638 or 1-800-477-4195.
[ top ]
Do not ignore your notice!
Failure to pay will result in enforcement activities, which include:
- suspension of a driver's licence
- notification to a credit reporting agency
- civil enforcement which includes garnishing wages, bank accounts, registering liens against property and seizure of assets.
- additional costs
[ top ]
Payment methods include:
- In person at the Provincial Offences Court, 100 Constellation, 1st floor. Payments can be made by cash, debit, credit card, cheques, money order or bank draft.
- Internet, pay your fine online at paytickets.ca
- By telephone using your MasterCard or Visa credit card at 613-580-2638 or 1-800-477-4195.
- By mail to the City of Ottawa, Fine Payment Office, P.O. Box 3430, Station D, Ottawa, ON K1P 1J4
[ top ]
Some Provincial Offences Act violations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highway Traffic Act
• speeding
• careless driving
• not wearing your seat belt
|
|
Trespass to Property Act
• entering premises when entry is prohibited
• failing to leave premises after being directed to do so
|
|
|
Infractions under some of Ottawa's by-laws
• Noise By-law
• Taxi By-law
• Animal Care By-law
|
|
Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
• failing to surrender your insurance card
• possessing invalid insurance card
|
|
Liquor Licence Act
• being intoxicated in a public place
• selling alcohol to a minor
|
|
|
[ top ]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Provincial Offences Collections Section do?
The Collections Section collects all fines in default. The Collections Section is mandated to recover outstanding fines and close client files. It is responsible for all enforcement activities including civil enforcement.
What are provincial offences?
Provincial offences are non-criminal charges, primarily laid by the police, including those committed under the following:
- Highway Traffic Act - such as speeding, careless driving, or not wearing your seat belt
- Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act - such as failing to surrender your insurance card, or possessing a fake or invalid insurance card
- Liquor Licence Act - such as being intoxicated in a public place or selling alcohol to a minor
- Trespass to Property Act - such as entering premises when entry is prohibited or failing to leave premises after being directed to do so
- City by-laws - such as infractions under Ottawa's noise, smoking, taxi and animal care by-laws
Most provincial offence charges result in out-of-court fine payments. Citizens with provincial offence tickets must read the back of the ticket carefully for a complete list of their payment and trial options.
My ticket is several years old, why am I just getting notified now?
The City of Ottawa accepted the transfer of responsibilities for provincial offences in March of 2001. With that transfer came a large backlog of defaulted fines. The City of Ottawa implemented a Collections Section in the spring of 2002 and has been actively working the backlog since.
Why is the amount on my notice more than the amount on my ticket?
Failure to pay by the due date results in additional court fees. Once your fine is transferred to the Provincial Offences Collections Section for failure to pay it can result in additional fees being incurred. Approval has been granted to the City of Ottawa to add all fees associated with collection to the balance of the outstanding provincial offence fine. All unpaid fines will accumulate associated fees, including but not limited to: Collection and Collections Agency fees.
I don't agree with the outcome of my trial, how do I get a new one?
After you are convicted at your trial and you do not agree with the Justice of the Peace's decision, you must file an appeal with the Provincial Offences Court Office. You will need to complete all the necessary appeal forms and submit them to the office within 15 days after you are convicted for part I and II provincial offences and within 30 days after you are convicted for a part III summons to court. You will be mailed a notice of trial for your appeal hearing.
I just found out that my driver's licence is suspended, why? And, how do I get it back?
If you fail to pay your fine and your due date has passed, your driver's licence will be suspended and a $20 fee will be added to your fine. You will be notified of this suspension by a registered letter from the Ministry of Transportation. This letter will be sent to the address indicated on your ticket at the time of the offence. In order to get your driver's licence back, you will need to pay all fines that are holding it under suspension, at any Provincial Offences Court Office in Ontario. Then take the receipt, go to any Ministry of Transportation (MTO) office, show them the receipt and pay a $150 reinstatement fee. Your licence should be reinstated within four business days. You should check with MTO if you have any further questions relating to your driver's licence.
What if I need more time to pay a provincial offence fine that has been sent to the Collections Section?
If you need more time to pay a provincial offences fine that is with the Collections Section, call us at 613-580-2638 or 1-800-477-4195 or visit us at 100 Constellation, 4th floor. You are required to complete the prescribed form for an extension of time to pay. When the form is completed, it must be given to our office, and it will be submitted to a Justice of the Peace. You must contact our office within one week to determine if your extension is granted.
Can I wait to pay my fines when I renew my sticker for my plate?
No. Failure to pay your fine will result in driver's licence suspension and is not related to renewing your sticker.
How can I have outstanding fines if I was able to renew my stickers?
Renewal of stickers is related to renewing your plate only and is not related to your driver's licence.
Can I do time in jail instead of paying my fine?
No, this is not an option available.
Don't know if you have an outstanding fine?
Contact the Provincial Offences Collections Section at 613-580-2638 or from outside the Ottawa area 1-800-477-4195 or by e-mail: provincialoffences@ottawa.ca
[ top ]
|
