The Provincial Offences Act (POA) governs non-Criminal offences, such as the Highway Traffic Act, Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, distracted driving, liquor licence violations, trespass to property, etc.
The Justice of the Peace is responsible for the proceedings of provincial matters and the conduct of these proceedings before the Ontario Court of Justice. These include matters heard in the courtroom and in the Justice of the Peace intake Court.
Types of Provincial Offence Notices
- Part I: an offence notice (ticket) or summons that is issued to an individual
- Part II: a parking infraction notice (including City-issued parking tickets)
- Part III: a summons (including a court date)Common charges under the Provincial Offences Act include:Highway Traffic Act Violations (HTA)
such as speeding, careless driving, not wearing seatbelt, or failing to stop at a stop sign
Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act (CAIA)
such as failing to surrender your insurance card or driving without insurance
Liquor Licence Act (LLA)
such as being intoxicated in a public place, or having open liquor in your vehicle, or selling alcohol to a minor
Trespass to Property Act (TPA)
such as entering premises where prohibited or failing to leave premises after being directed to do so
Municipal By-Laws Infractions
such as noise by-law, zoning, animal control by-law or parking
Occupational Health & Safety, Environment, Transportation, Natural Resources, Labour or Finance violations