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How many days do I have to respond once I receive a provincial offence ticket? |
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Please read and follow the instructions provided on back of the yellow ticket. Within 15 days, you must choose one of the following options:
- Plea of guilty - payment out of court
- Plead guilty with an explanation
- Trial Option
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What happens if I don't pay my fine in full? |
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Failure to pay your fine in full could result in a conviction being entered against you. Upon conviction you will be required to pay the set fine including court costs and the applicable victim fine surcharge by the due date. Failure to pay the fine imposed upon conviction by the due date will result in one or more of the following:
- Refusal by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to issue validation of your vehicle permit
- Refusal by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to issue a vehicle permit
- Driver's licence suspension
- An additional administrative fee
- The defaulted fine information is provided to a credit bureau.
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What if I need more time to pay a provincial offence fine? |
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If you need more time to pay a provincial offence fine, visit the court office noted on the back of your ticket (Offence Notice). You will be asked to fill out a form. This form will require you to fill in all of the information regarding your ticket including how much you have paid so far and a specific date that you would like it extended to, etc. You may or may not be required to see a Justice of the Peace to give a verbal explanation. |
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Why are there two amounts on my ticket? |
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One amount is the set fine and the second is the total payable. The total payable consists of the set fine, court costs and the Victim Fine Surcharge.
The set fine is ordered by the Chief Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice as an amount payable by the defendant in lieu of attending court to contest the charge.
Court costs are an amount to be paid by the defendant for the service of the offence notice and/or summons and upon conviction of an offence. The costs are authorized by Section 60 of the Provincial Offences Act and the amount is set by regulation.
Section 8 of the Provincial Offences Act provides that payment of an offence notice (ticket) constitutes a plea of guilty and results in a conviction being registered.
The Victim Fine Surcharge is imposed by the Provincial Government and is added to every fine imposed under the Provincial Offences Act. The amount of the Victim Fine Surcharge is variable, and is based on the amount of the set fine. Proceeds from the surcharge are used to maintain and expand provincial services to victims of crime. |
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Can I pay a parking ticket at a Provincial Offences Court? |
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No. Parking tickets are dealt with and processed through Parking Tag Operations. For more information call 416-397-8247.
Note: Parking tickets from GO Transit property can be paid at Provincial Offences Courts. |
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What are the different types of Provincial Offence Notices (tickets)? |
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There are three different types of Provincial Offence Notices.
Part I - a ticket that is issued to an individual
Part II - GO Transit parking tickets
Part III - a summons (including a court date) |
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Who can issue Provincial Offence Notices (tickets)? |
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There are many enforcement agencies in Toronto who can issue you a ticket, including:
- City By-law Enforcement (Toronto Public Health, Municipal and Licensing and Standards officers)
- Toronto Fire Services
- Toronto Police Service
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Ministry of Transportation
- Ministry of Environment
- Ministry of Labour
- Ministry of Natural Resources
- Ministry of Health
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
- Go Transit
- T.T.C.
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What is the Offence Notice (ticket) process? |
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After being served a ticket (Offence Notice) the defendant then has three options
- Pays fine - a conviction is registered
- Pleads guilty with explanation - a conviction is registered
- Attends court office to file a request for trial (must complete a Notice of Intention to Appear) or phone for an appointment with a prosecutor to try to settle the charges before going to trial.
Note: If you do not exercise one of the above options within 15 days, or if you do not appear for your trial, a Justice of the Peace will review your case and may enter a conviction in your absence. |
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How do I make a formal complaint? |
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Visit the contact us section to discover how to make a formal complaint. |
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Why is the City responsible for Provincial Offences Courts? |
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The province transferred responsibility for Provincial Offences Courts to municipalities across Ontario. |
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What do Provincial Offences Courts do? |
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- accept payment of Provincial Offence fines (except parking fines)
- schedule and supports Provincial Offence trials
- intake services (e.g. walk-in guilty pleas, re-opening applications, extension of time, etc.)
- manage the filing of Provincial Offences Act matters including appeals
- provide information for general inquiries about Provincial Offences
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What are provincial offences? |
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Minor offences that include, but are not limited to:
- speeding, careless driving, or not wearing your seat belt - Highway Traffic Act
- failing to surrender your insurance card or possessing a false or invalid insurance card - Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
- being intoxicated in a public place or selling alcohol to a minor - Liquor Licence Act
- entering prohibited premises or failing to leave premises after being directed to do so - Trespass to Property Act
- Occupational Health and Safety and Ministry of Environment violations
- noise, taxi and animal care by-laws - City by-laws
Most Provincial Offence charges result in out-of-court fine payments. Residents who are issued a ticket under the Provincial Offences Act should read it carefully for a complete list of their payment and trial options. |
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As a vendor, where do I send my invoice for payment? |
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Please send all your invoices for payment to:
City of Toronto Finance Department
Accounts Payable
Accounting Services Division
55 John Street
14th floor, Metro Hall
Toronto, ON M5V 3C6 |
