Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS)
Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP)
The AMP system is designed to streamline the enforcement of, and increase compliance with, Township of Amour’s By-laws. Under AMP, Penalty Notice disputes are handled by the Township through the use of Screening and Hearing Officers who are able to modify, cancel, or otherwise affirm penalties. The purpose of this method is to reduce congestion in the courts and to provide a local (Township) resolution affording an accessible, transparent, and streamlined dispute resolution process.
As mentioned, the method in which the AMP system is enforced is conducted through the use of a Penalty Notice. A Penalty Notice is only enforced by Township of Armour’s By-law Enforcement personnel who have been provided authority by Council.
Penalty Notices are issued for contraventions of various Township by-laws, of which it draws its authority through the
AMP By-law.
What is a Penalty Notice?
The method in which an AMP By-law contravention is enforced is found through the use of a Penalty Notice. A Penalty Notice is a notice that is served on an individual that has alleged to contravene the AMP By-law and by doing so has been assessed a monetary penalty. These penalties can range from $25 to $300 dependent upon the offence. A Penalty Notice forms a debt to the Township in which the individual is required to make payment within a 15-day timeframe or request a review or extension.
Penalty Notices are governed by the Township AMP By-law and the statutory authority found within of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25.
The following is a list of By-laws that are authorized for the use within Administrative Monetary Penalty System:
- Animal Control By-law (Including Dogs)
- Animal(s)-at-Large By-law (not including Dogs)
- Backyard Chicken By-law
- Depositing of Snow on Municipal Highways By-law
- Dock Bubblers Aerators and/or De-Icers By-law
- Dumping By-law
- Municipal Parks By-law
- Noise By-law
- Nuisance Beavers and Beaver Dams By-law
- Open Air Burning By-law
- Public Nuisances By-law
- Smoking or Vaping Cannabis / Tobacco By-law
- Trailer Licencing By-law
Please refer to the information on the reverse side of the Penalty Notice.
The Administrative Penalty Notice number is located on the top portion of the Penalty Notice.
The Penalty Notice Number is unique and identifies a specific incident(s) in which an AMP By-law has been contravened.
Individuals are encouraged to safeguard the Penalty Notice and all relevant information held within.
How to Make a Payment
Within 15 Days, payment can be made for all Administrative Monetary Penalty fines in the following manner.
Following the issue of a Penalty Notice, the person is permitted to make a voluntary payment by using one of the following methods:
- Online: e-Transfer to info@armourtownship.ca Please indicate “Penalty Notice” as subject and include Penalty Notice number.
- In Person: Cash or Debit Card. Personal Cheques/Certified Cheques/Money Order (include Penalty Notice number) and made payable to “Township of Armour”
- By Mail: To the Municipal Office. Township of Armour, P.O. Box 533, 56 Ontario Street, Burk’s Falls, Ontario, P0A 1C0. Personal Cheques/Certified Cheques/Money Order (include Penalty Notice number) and made payable to “Township of Armour”
Payment is not considered made until received by the Township. Persons must allow sufficient mailing time for payments. Persons should not send cash by mail. Post-dated cheques or payment by installations are not accepted. NSF cheques will be subject to an administrative charge.
Late Payment
Please pay Late Payment amount (as seen on the Penalty Notice) after the 15 days from service has expired.
Step by Step on How to Deal with AMPS
The Township of Armour has changed its penalty process out of the court system and to the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS). This system offers a more efficient system with a chance to dispute your penalty in a customer-service space.
Click here to view the step by step guide.
How to Prepare for your Screening Review
Every person who is issued a Penalty Notice has the right to dispute the Penalty Notice by requesting a Screening Review. If you have requested a Screening Review before the Payment Due Date listed on your Penalty Notice, you will receive a date and time for your Screening Review.
Please Note: If you fail to appear on the date and time for your Screening Review, you will be charged a $50.00 administrative fee.
Screening Review Location
Your Screening Review will take place at the Municipal Office, 56 Ontario Street, Burk’s Falls, Ontario P0A 1H0 or via Zoom.
Evidence
When you attend the Screening Review, please bring copies of any documents that you intend to use as evidence in relation to the Penalty Notice. For example, a death certificate, police report, medical note, photographs, etc. If you are in financial hardship and require additional time to pay, please bring in financial documents to support your claim.
If you are sending someone to act on your behalf, you must complete the AMPS Request form.
Screening Review Procedure
The Screening Officer will review and consider any material you submit before making a decision.
During a Screening Review, the Screening Officer may:
- Cancel the Penalty Notice (including Administrative Fees);
- Affirm the Penalty Notice (including Administrative Fees);
- Vary the Penalty Notice (including Administrative Fees); or
- Extend the time for payment of the Penalty Notice (including Administrative Fees).
You can request a review of the Screening Officer’s decision by requesting a Hearing Review at the conclusion of the Screening Review or by the due date listed on the Screening Decision letter.
Interpreter
You are responsible for bringing your own interpreter. The Township does not provide interpreters.
More Information
For more information regarding the Township’s AMPS Program, please visit the Township’s website or call 705-382-3332.
How to Prepare for your Hearing Review
By-law Enforcement Services will provide you with the date and time for your Hearing Review.
Please Note: If you fail to appear on the date and time for your Hearing Review, you will be charged a $50.00 administrative fee.
Hearing Review Location
Your Hearing Review will take place via Zoom.
Evidence
When you attend the Hearing Review, please be prepared to provide copies of any documents that you intend to use as evidence in relation to the Penalty Notice. For example: a death certificate, police report, medical note, photographs, etc. If you are in financial hardship and require additional time to pay, please bring in financial documents to support your claim. These copies may be kept by the Hearing Officer and will form part of the Penalty Notice record. You may also bring witnesses to the Hearing Review.
If you are sending someone to act on your behalf, you must complete the AMPS Request form.
Hearing Review Procedure
You will be asked to present your case first – followed by the Township. The Hearing officer will review both cases and consider any materials submitted when making a decision.
During a Hearing Review, the Hearing Officer may:
- Cancel the Penalty Notice (including Administrative Fees);
- Affirm the Penalty Notice (including Administrative Fees), an individual who receives an upheld decision in a review by a Hearing Officer in relation to a Penalty Notice issued through AMPS shall also be responsible for an additional Adjudication fee.
- Vary the Penalty Notice (including Administrative Fees); or
- Extend the time for payment of the Penalty Notice (including Administrative Fees).
The Hearing Officer is not bound to the decision of the Screening Officer.
The decision of the Hearing Officer is final.
Interpreter
You are responsible for bringing your own interpreter. The Township does not provide interpreters.
More Information
For more information regarding the Township’s AMPS Program, please visit the Township’s website or call 705-382-3332.
AMPS By-laws
AMPS Policies
Administrative Fees
Late Payment Fee
$50.00
Insufficient Funds Fee (NSF)
As per the Municipality’s Fees By-law
Screening No Show Fee
$50.00
Hearing No Show Fee
$50.00
Adjudication Fee Hearing Officer Decision
$25.00
MTO Plate Denial Fee
$50.00
MTO Search Fee
$50.00
AMPS Request Form
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO READ PRIOR TO COMPLETING REQUEST FORM
Applicants are responsible for completing all required portions of the applicant portion of this form, and any false or
misleading information may lead to this request being null and void.
Personal information contained on this form is collected under the authority of Part IV and Section 11 of the Municipal
Act, 2001 and will be used for the administration of the AMPS Program.
Questions concerning collection of personal information should be directed to the Clerk.
Any supporting evidence (photos or documents) for your Screening Request must be brought with you or attached
to this completed form and the number of items noted.
Any supporting evidence NOT presented for the Screening is NOT ADMISSABLE at the Hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can I speak to about my AMP Penalty?
If you have received an Administrative Monetary Penalty Notice you can speak to administrative staff at the township office at (705) 382-3332 between the hours of 9:00am to 4:30pm (Mon-Fri). The administrative staff will be able to assist you in the process from payment to Hearing reviews. The administrative staff cannot review or pass judgment on any Penalty Notice.
What if I lose or damage my Penalty Notice?
The Penalty Notice is the responsibility of the individual or entity that receives it. Penalty Notices will not be reissued, however the municipal administrative staff can be requested to assist in providing ticket information related only to a particular notice. Information will be only disclosed to an individual(s) that can validate the specific information captured within the notice. The loss/damage of a Penalty Notice does not form grounds to forego late payments.
What happens if I don’t pay the penalty notice?
If payment has not been received either with or without a Hearing, the penalty will be applied to the Tax roll of the property owner associated to the penalty.
How long do I have to pay the penalty notice?
The initial period for payment is 15 days. The Screening Officer may extend the period for payment, however a Request for Extension- Screening Officer must be submitted. Please refer to the reverse side of you Penalty Notice for key information.
Request for Screening Officer
If you have received a Penalty Notice, you may request that the Administrative Penalty be reviewed by a Screening Officer by submitting a Request for Screening form before 4:30 p.m. on or before the date on which the Administrative Penalty is due and payable.
Use the link below and then complete the online form.
Dates of service cannot be altered or otherwise extended without Screening or Hearings Officer approval. Hearing dates will not be granted after failure to request a hearing within the allotted time. Overdue payments will be imposed. Default payments will be administered into the municipality’s tax roll for an individual that is a registered Township ratepayer or as the case maybe.
A person given a notice may also include a tenant or registered property owner as the case maybe.
If you do not attend or remain at the screening hearing, as indicated in the scheduled time and place, or pay the amount shown on the penalty notice, an administrative fee of $50 will be administered to the penalty.
Please reaffirm that all information including contact information and Penalty Notice Number are accurate prior to submission. If you complete the wrong form or do so incorrectly, the Administrative Penalty will be affirmed.
Request for Hearing Officer
You can request a Hearing (appeal of a Screening Decision), or request an extension of time for a Hearing during the Screening Review or by contacting the By-law Enforcement Department on or before the due and payable date for the Administrative Penalty listed on the Screening Decision.
You cannot request a Hearing until you have had a resolution from a Screening Officer. Any such requested will be refused.
If you do not attend or remain at the hearing, as indicated in the scheduled time and place, or pay the amount shown on the penalty notice, an administrative fee of $50 will be administered to the penalty.
An individual who receives an upheld decision in a review by a Hearing Officer in relation to a Penalty Notice issued through AMPS shall be responsible for an additional Adjudication fee.
AMPS Disclaimer
The information provided on this webpage is for information purposes only and only includes general information of the AMP process. Please review the AMPS By-law for the complete description of the Township’s AMP System. If you do not understand the AMP By-law, please consult your own licensed legal counsel. Data captured through this process will remain confidential and held by the Township of Armour. Information will not be shared with any third party unless default payment has occurred. Information is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990.
