Provincial and Municipal Offences

Provincial and Municipal Offences

The Provincial Offences Act (POA) is a law in the Canadian province of Ontario that governs non-criminal offences, also known as provincial offences. These offences are violations of provincial laws and regulations, rather than federal criminal laws. Examples of provincial offences in Ontario include traffic violations, bylaw infractions, and environmental offences.

The POA sets out the procedures for dealing with provincial offences in Ontario. It establishes the role of the Ontario Court of Justice as the court responsible for hearing provincial offence cases, and outlines the process for issuing tickets, issuing summonses, and conducting trials.

Some common offences under the Provincial Offences Act in Ontario include:

1. Traffic offences: These include offences such as speeding, running a red light, and driving without a valid license/driving while suspended. 
2. Bylaw infractions: These offences involve violations of municipal bylaws, such as noise violations, parking violations, and property maintenance violations.
3. Environmental offences: These offences involve violations of provincial environmental laws, such as improper disposal of hazardous waste, failure to comply with air quality regulations, and illegal dumping.
4. Liquor license violations: These offences involve violations of the rules and regulations related to the sale and consumption of alcohol in Ontario.

Penalties for provincial offences under the POA can vary depending on the specific offence and the circumstances of the case. Penalties may include fines, licence suspensions, or other penalties. In some cases, a person (or counsel on their behalf) may be required to attend court to address the offence.

There are also time limitations on confirming how a person intends to proceed with their matter, dependent upon the offence a person is charged with.  Therefore, if you or someone you care about has been charged with a Highway Traffic Act, or a Provincial Offences Act offence, it can be beneficial to have an experienced lawyer in defending cases under the POA and who will fight for your legal rights. Contact O’Hara Law today at (519)-679-9250 to discuss your matter with Lucas O’Hara.