Kitchener latest to set groundwork for new ticket-disputing system
Posted Jan 11, 2024 10:56:31 AM.
Last Updated Jan 11, 2024 12:17:22 PM.
The City of Kitchener is looking to help residents dispute tickets for bylaw offences.
The Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) program was passed at Kitchener’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting Monday. If it is approved at council, all cities in the region would be officially using the system.
The system has already been in place for about five years for parking tickets only. Ward 2 Councillor Dave Schnider said AMPS has gotten nothing but positive feedback.
“There’s so many good things about this,” said Schnider. “The efficiency for staff, the efficiency for time. I have had several of my residents and constituents move forward with AMPS and I was very happy to hear afterwards how happy they were with the process (…) they felt they were heard and they came away learning more about our bylaws, so I think it’s a great idea to include more.”
Failing to remove snow in front of your property is included in the bylaw offences that would be disputed through the AMPS system. Unfortunately, despite all the snow coming this weekend to Waterloo Region, the program is expected to begin this spring. Other examples included on the long list of bylaws are tickets for noise, fireworks, animal regulations and graffiti.
Under the traditional system with the Provincial Offences Act, ticket holders would have to mail or visit the courthouse to dispute the ticket in a meeting with a prosecutor or at trial. Both of those options involve standing in front of a judge.
The AMPS program moves most of the work online. The first step is to request a screening with city staff for an early resolution meeting.
If the offer is not accepted at the screening, the matter would be decided in a hearing. Council would appoint an official “hearing officer” who would make a final decision on the penalty. The hearings will be mostly virtual, however, many of the steps can still be done in person.
To learn more about the AMPS process, you can read the council report here.
