| What is a penalty notice? |
| A penalty notice is a fine issued within the Town of Halton Hills by a municipal law enforcement officer. |
| Why did Halton Hills implement the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) program? |
| The Administrative Penalties System (AMPS) was introduced to ease the burden on the Provincial Offences Court system by streamlining the process and enabling municipalities such as the Town of Halton Hills to resolve by-law violations internally. In contrast, AMPS allows these matters to be addressed within weeks, providing a more efficient and accessible resolution process. |
| How is a penalty notice issued? |
A municipal law enforcement officer can issue a penalty notice for a variety of violations by:
- Affixing it to the vehicle (parking)
- Serving it personally at the time of the violation
- Email
- Registered/regular mail
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| I don't agree with the penalty notice I've received, can I dispute it? |
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Yes. To dispute a Penalty Notice, complete the online form and tell us why you think the penalty is invalid, why any fees should be cancelled or reduced, and/or why you need more time to pay the Penalty Notice. You will have the opportunity to provide evidence such as photographs to support your claims.
Please monitor your email inbox, including your junk/spam folder, for correspondence regarding your screening decision or any requests for additional information.
Note: Disputed Penalty Notices for parking penalties are subject to an automatic $10 MTO search fee upon request of review. This additional fee will be applied to your administrative penalty and is due 15 days following the delivery of the screen decision.
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| How much time do I have to dispute my penalty notice? |
| If you believe you have received a penalty notice in error or have special circumstances, you have 15 days from the date you received your penalty notice to request a review online. |
| What if I missed the deadline to schedule a screening review? |
| The Screening Officer may only extend the time to request a review of a penalty notice of an administrative penalty where the recipient demonstrates on a balance of probabilities the existence of extenuating circumstances that warrant the extension of time. For more information, email Enforcement Services or call 905-873-2600 ext. 2330 or 3030. |
| What happens if I don’t attend my hearing review? |
| If you miss your scheduled appointment, the penalty notice will be upheld. An additional fee of $100 will be charged for a missed hearing appointment. |
| What if I am not satisfied with the Screening Officer’s decision? |
| If the matter remains in dispute after the Screening Officer’s review, you may request a further review by a Hearing Officer. This request must be submitted prior to the payment due date indicated on your screening decision. Please note that the Hearing Officer’s decision is final. |
| Can someone else act on my behalf during a screening review or hearing review appointment? |
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Yes. You may authorize someone to act as your representative when submitting a screening review or attending a hearing review appointment on your behalf. To do so, you must complete the appropriate Authorization to Act as an Agent form:
For written screening reviews, the form must be submitted with the screening request if a representative is disputing the Penalty Notice on your behalf. For hearing reviews conducted virtually, the form must be submitted prior to the scheduled hearing appointment if a representative will be attending.
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| What will happen if I ignore the penalty notice? |
| If you do not choose one of the options listed on the back of your penalty notice, the Town of Halton Hills will consider the matter undisputed. In such cases, additional fees will apply. Additionally, if the penalty notice and any administrative fees remain unpaid, in the case of a parking penalty or ASE penalty order, a notice of default will be sent to the Ministry of Transportation which will result in your Ontario Vehicle Permit renewal being denied. In the case of a non-parking penalty, any outstanding fees will be added to the property tax roll, referred to a collection agency or result in legal action taken against the individual or corporation listed on the penalty notice. |
| My penalty notice is past due notice, now what? |
| If your penalty notice is past due, it indicates that payment has not been received by the Town of Halton Hills, or a screening review appointment was not requested within the required timeframe. As a result, you are no longer eligible to request a screening review. Immediate action is required to avoid further administrative fees. For assistance or additional information, please email Enforcement Services or call 905-873-2600 ext. 2330 or 3030 |
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When can I request an Information Package related to my Penalty Notice?
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An Information Package (disclosure of evidence) is available for regulatory (non-parking) by-law Penalty Notices. Information Packages are not available for parking Penalty Notices.
You may request an Information Package for a regulatory (non-parking) Penalty Notice:
- Before submitting a written screening request, or
- After a hearing has been scheduled.
To allow sufficient time for review, requests for an Information Package must be submitted at least ten (10) days before submitting your written screening request or at least ten (10) days prior to your scheduled hearing date.
Applicants are encouraged to review the Information Package carefully before submitting their written screening materials to ensure all relevant details and supporting information are included.
Information Packages will only be provided to the registered owner, the person named on the Penalty Notice, or their authorized representative.
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What happens if I receive a “Request for Information” email after submitting an online screening or hearing request?
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If you receive a Request for Information email, it means the Screening or Hearing Officer requires additional details or documentation in order to proceed with a review. The email will outline the specific information or documents being requested.
You must provide the requested information within ten (10) days of the date of the email.
If you are submitting a request on behalf of another person, a completed and signed Agent Authorization Form is required. Failure to provide the required authorization form within the specified timeframe will result in the screening request being considered abandoned.
If the requested documentation is not received within ten (10) days, the Screening or Hearing Officer may proceed with a decision based on the information available. Where a request is deemed abandoned, a $50.00 failure-to-respond fee will be added, and the administrative penalty, along with any applicable administrative fees, will be affirmed, become payable, and will no longer be subject to further review.
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I have multiple Penalty Notices - can I submit one Screening Review request for all of them?
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A separate Screening Review request must be submitted for each Penalty Notice issued. Each Penalty Notice is reviewed independently, so a separate review request is required for each one.
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| What should I include in my screening request? |
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Please provide a detailed explanation of the reason(s) you are disputing your Penalty Notice. Your submission should include:
- Why you believe the Penalty Notice should be cancelled or reduced
- If applicable, why you are requesting additional time to pay
- Any supporting documents or photographs you would like considered as part of the review
Requests for consideration based on financial hardship must be supported by documentation and submitted with your screening request.
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What if I can’t afford to pay the Penalty Notice?
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If paying your Penalty Notice would cause undue financial hardship, you may request relief under the Administrative Penalty System. To have your claim considered during the screening review, you must submit:
- A written explanation describing your circumstances and the reasons for your request.
- Supporting documentation demonstrating financial hardship.
Examples of documents that may be considered include, but are not limited to:
- A copy of your Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment for the most recent full calendar year
- Proof of receipt and the amount of any income supplements, including:
- Old Age Security
- Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
- Canada Pension Plan or other pension income
- Disability Pension
- Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
- Child and/or spousal support orders
- Any other form of social assistance
Providing complete and accurate information will help ensure your request is reviewed thoroughly.
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