Administrative Penalty System
East Gwillimbury (EG) moved to the Administrative Penalty System (APS), which allows the Town to process and adjudicate contraventions of its regulatory by-laws such as property standards, and animal control.
Parking tickets are still processed through the Provincial Court System. If you wish to dispute a parking ticket, please contact the By-law department for the steps to dispute the parking ticket.
| What is the APS? |
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APS is a municipally administered program that replaces the current court system with a fast, more flexible and customer-focused adjudication process for by-law offences. This allows the Town to administer and deal with penalty notices in a timely manner by assigning internal Screening and Hearing Officers to assist notice holders in a fair and efficient dispute resolution process, as compared to the traditional provincial court system. The new system is more efficient, user friendly and less intimidating. APS maintains the fundamental principles of justice and due process. Under this new process, most ticket escalations will be resolved within 90 days, much faster than the previous court-based system. |
Penalty Notices
When issued a penalty notice, there are two options:
- Pay the penalty notice (receive a discount if a voluntary early payment is made within 15 days)
- Dispute the penalty notice (request a Screening Review to dispute the ticket within 15 days of issue)
If you don't act within 15 days:
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After 15 days: Owe the "set amount" (found on your penalty notice)
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After 30 days: Owe the "set amount" plus $25 late fee
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After 60 days: The penalty notice amount and any additional fees may be added to taxes or sent to a collection agency
Paying a Penalty Notice
- Pay in-person using debit or cash at any Customer Service location
- Pay by mail using a cheque or money order payable to:
The Town of East Gwillimbury
19000 Leslie Street
Sharon, ON, L0G 1V0
Request a Review
If disputing a penalty notice, submit a request for Screening Officer review explaining the reason for disputing the ticket. If unsatisfied with the Screening Officer’s Decision, a Hearing Officer review can be requested.
The Screening Officer review can be conducted via:
- Video call
- Phone call
- In-person at the EG Civic Centre (19000 Leslie Street, Sharon)
| Preparing for a Screening Officer Review |
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Once a request for Screening Officer review form has been submitted, a Screening Officer will be in touch within seven days. Screening Officer reviews take place on Tuesdays between 9 to 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays between 1:30 to 4 p.m. Language interpreters are not provided by the Town. Failure to appear for a Screening Officer review results in a $50 non-appearance fee. Submit copies of any documents that may assist as evidence. This may include:
Individuals experiencing financial hardship who require additional time to pay, can bring documents to support this claim. Documents may include:
Screening Review Procedure The Screening Officer will review and consider any documents before making a decision. During the Screening Review, the officer may:
Screening Decision and Payment The Screening Officer will issue a written decision (provided by email, in-person, or by mail). Once a decision has been made, the decision will note if the ticket has been cancelled or upheld. If the ticket is upheld, it will outline the required payment and due date. |
| Request an Agent or Extension |
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If you have requested a Screening Officer review appointment and are not able to attend yourself, you may send a designate on your behalf. Are there extenuating circumstances making it challenging to pay or dispute your ticket on time? You may be eligible for an extension. Discuss this with the Screening Officer. |
| Preparing for a Hearing Officer Review |
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Requests for a Hearing Officer review must be received within 30 days of the Screening Officer’s decision. Language interpreters are not provided by the Town. Failure to appear for a Screening Officer review results in a $100 non-appearance fee. Hearing Reviews take place virtually between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, and certain portions may be open to the public. Submit copies of any documents that may assist as evidence. This may include:
Witness are also welcome at the Hearing Officer review. A Parking Enforcement Officer or another representative of the Town may attend Hearing Reviews. Hearing Review Procedure Arrive five to 10 minutes before the scheduled hearing time and wait until the matter is called. The Town presents its evidence first then reasons for disputing the penalty notice are presented. The Hearing Officer will review both cases and consider any material submitted when making a decision. Hearing Decision and Payment During a Hearing Review, the Hearing Officer may:
The Hearing Officer is not bound by the decision of the Screening Officer. The decision of the Hearing Officer is final. Failure to pay the amount set out in the hearing decision within 15 days of the due date may result in additional administrative fees. Rescheduling or Cancelling a Hearing Review Requests to reschedule a Hearing Officer are accepted via email or phone, no later than 24 hours in advance of the hearing. A Hearing Officer review will not be rescheduled more than once, except in extenuating circumstances. Once one request to defer a hearing date has been received, the matter will be rescheduled for the next available hearing date. To reschedule, contact the By-law department. |
Complaint Process
Staff complaints in regard to the Administrative Penalty System can be submitted to the By-law department. EG keeps the identity of every complainant confidential, unless the complainant has agreed to be identified. Provide the following information in your submission:
- Complainant name, telephone number and email
- Complaint location (address)
- A satisfactory explanation of the complaint and details that would assist
Contact Us
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