Waterloo council approves new system for challenging bylaws

Waterloo council has voted on a motion that is being promoted as an easier way for residents to fight bylaw infractions.

The unanimous vote in favour of implementing the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) was made at Monday’s council meeting.

The new system means that Waterloo residents will no longer have to go to provincial court to fight tickets related to 22 municipal bylaws.

The AMPS will allow residents to bring their bylaw infraction challenges to a screening officer at city hall, which can be done by email, phone or virtually, instead of having to appear in person.

If the result is not satisfactory, residents are able to take their case to an independent hearing officer that is not employed by the city.

Grant Curlew, manager of Licensing and Standards with the City of Waterloo, told council on Monday that the system will also be making it’s way through other parts of the region.

“We’ve been actually working on this program as a joint initiative with both Kitchener and Cambridge,” Curlew explained. “I believe in the next few months, both Kitchener and Cambridge will be taking it to their respective councils to look for approval.”

According to Curlew, each ticket administered by bylaw officers will include updated information about the new process and how residents can challenge the infraction.

The AMPS was introduced for parking infractions in Waterloo in 2019, and according to city documents provided to council, the program has resulted in a significant reduction in the length of time it takes for a resident to dispute their ticket.

The documents also state that 92 per cent of parking tickets given under the current system resulted in a favourable outcome for the ticket holder.

Curlew told city council on Monday that the Administrative Monetary Penalty System will likely be implemented in Waterloo in September.