Provincial Offences

The material contained in this website is intended to provide general information only and should not be relied upon as legal advice.

Provincial offences are minor (non-criminal) offences that include, but are not limited to:
-Highway Traffic Act - speeding, careless driving, or not wearing your seat belt
-Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act - failing to surrender your insurance card or possessing a false or invalid insurance card
-Liquor Licence Act - being intoxicated in a public place or selling alcohol to a minor
-Trespass to Property Act - entering prohibited premises or failing to leave premises after being directed to do so
-Occupational Health and Safety Act and environmental legislation - violations of the Act and legislation
-City bylaws - noise, taxi and animal care bylaws.

There are 3 types of Provincial Offence Notices:
“Notice of Offence” or “charging document” might be referred to as a “ticket”

Part I - Are Offence Notices for less serious offences such as no vehicle ownership or failing to obey a stop sign. Part I convictions will remain on a driver’s abstract for 3 years from the date of conviction.

NOTE: You have 15 days from receipt of the Notice of Offence to exercise one of the stated options. If you fail to respond you will be deemed to not dispute the charge.

Part II - Are Offence Notices for Regulatory Infractions such as parking tickets or red light camera offences.

Parking Tickets have a set fine which goes on the plates of the vehicle and not on the driver’s record i.e. there is no record on the driver’s abstract and no demerit points.
 

Part III - Are Offence Notices for more serious offences. These notices are issued under a summons. It specifies a court date and a time for the first court appearance. There are no set fines. If you are found guilty, your sentence could include a fine of $2,000 or more, probation, a court order, a by-law related order, a license suspension, imprisonment or any combination thereof.

Part III convictions will remain on a driver’s abstract for 5 years from the date of conviction.