- I can't pay my fine by the due date. What should I do?
- Why are there two amounts on my ticket? Which one do I pay?
- What if I can't attend my trial?
- I don't think I'm guilty. How do I request a trial?
- How do I exercise option #2 on my ticket (walk-in plea of guilty)
- I am a U.S. Citizen. Is my fine is U.S. or Canadian dollars?
- How can I pay my fine?
- Who do I make my cheque payable to?
- If I move, will the POA office be aware of my change of address?
- Can I pay my parking ticket at the Provincial Offences Office?
If you are unable to pay your fine by the final due date shown on your Notice of Fine and Due Date, you can contact the Provincial Offences Office for an application of Extension to pay your fine. If you fail to pay your fine by the date shown and do not apply for an extension, enforcement measures will be taken against you, including submitting the matter to a collection agency.
The total amount payable is what is owing for your fine. The total payable includes a Victim Fine Surcharge (VFS) which is levied on all fines imposed in Ontario for convictions under the Provincial Offences Act. Proceeds from the surcharge are used to maintain and expand services to victims of crime. The surcharge will be enforced in the same manner as the fine, if not paid.
Once you enter a plea of "not guilty" the matter will be set down for trial. If for some reason you cannot attend court on the date given on your trial notice, you must file a Motion for Adjournment with the Court and request a new date for trial. Please contact the Provincial Offences Office for information on the procedure for filing the Motion.
Please be advised that if you fail to appear on your trial date and have not arranged for an adjournment via Motion, you could be convicted and sentenced in your absence.
Sign your ticket at option #3 as indicated and either deliver or mail your offence notice to the Provincial Offences Office. You will be notified by mail of the trial date.
Appointments for Walk-in Guilty pleas are made through the Provincial Offences Office by either attending or calling the office. The Justice of the Peace office has limited hours and therefore in order to exercise this option, you must make an appointment as indicated above. Once your appointment is booked, you will see the Justice of the Peace at his/her office located at the Courthouse at 333 Church Street in Fort Frances.
please be advised that you will be pleading guilty to the offence as charged on the ticket you are given. The Justice of the Peace can reduce the amount of your fine and give you time to pay, but cannot reduce any demerit points connected to the offence.
All fines issued in Ontario are stated in Canadian dollars. If you wish to obtain a current rate of exchange from our office, you may do so by calling us during office hours.
PLEASE NOTE: if you submit a U.S. cheque that does not cover the entire amount payable, you will have a balance owing and could incur late charges resulting in enforcement being taken to collect the outstanding amount. We strongly recommend that our U.S. customers use a credit card or attend their local bank to obtain a Canadian Money order or draft.
Fines can be paid in person at the Town Hall or via mail. We accept Visa, Mastercard, personal cheque, money order, cash or debit card. Payments can also be made over the telephone using your credit card. If you wish to make your payment after office hours, your cheque/money order can be deposited in the drop box located at the main door, and will be posted the next business day.
PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept post dated cheques for fine payments nor can payments be deposited in the fine-o-meter boxes located throughout town.
Cheques are made payable to the Town of Fort Frances
• No, the only information given to the POA office is contained on the ticket itself. If you submit a Trial request (Option # 3), there is a space on the ticket for you to record your new address to enable the office to send you a Trial Notice and further correspondence. If you have not submitted a new address to the POA office, all correspondence will be sent to the address shown on your ticket.
• Parking tickets are issued by the Town By-Law Officers and should be paid at the Town Offices unless the ticket is overdue. Once it passes the due date, it will be sent to the Provincial Offences Office for us to register a conviction. You must then pay the fine, plus the additional administration charges resulting from the conviction. Failure to pay the fine will result in a Licence Plate denial when you attempt to renew your sticker.