A ticket is a formal written notice issued by a police officer or other authorized enforcement officer alleging that a person has committed a provincial offence. In Ontario, tickets are issued under the Provincial Offences Act (POA). A ticket and a Notice of Offence are the same.

There are three types of tickets/Provincial Offence Notices, covered in the POA:

1. Part 1 – An Offence Notice, or ticket: a ticket that is not a parking ticket, such as a speeding ticket);
2. Part II – A Parking Infraction Notice: parking ticket; and
3. Part III – A Summons to appear at court (usually more serious offences under the Act)

Common examples of reasons for issuing a ticket under the POA include speeding, distracted driving, or trespassing. The usual penalties for tickets are fines and demerit points. A ticket begins a legal process, but it does not result in a conviction unless the person pleads guilty (for example, by paying a fine) or is found guilty by a court.

Receiving a ticket means that a formal legal proceeding has started under the POA and creates a legal duty to respond. In most cases, a person must respond within 15 days of receiving the ticket.

What type of provincial offences result in a ticket?

The most common type of matters handled under the provincial offence systems are traffic violations under the provincial highway traffic legislation.

Common examples of matters handled under the Ontario POA system are:

• Highway Traffic Act (traffic violations such as speeding or failing to stop)
• Liquor Licence and Control Act (providing alcohol to minors or selling alcohol outside permitted hours)
• Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (fishing or hunting without a license)
• Trespass to Property Act (entering closed property)
• Municipal noise or parking by-laws (parking or noise violations)

What information is usually on a ticket?

Tickets and offence notices typically include identifiers needed to interact with the court/online system so that they can be paid or disputed. For example:

• Name of accused
• Description of offence
• Statute and section number
• Set fine (if applicable)
• Offence number
• Response deadline (usually 15 days)
• Instructions on how to respond and court date

A “set fine” is the base fine amount established by regulation for a specific offence. In some cases, additional amounts such as court costs or surcharges may also apply. For a list of set fines, visit the Ontario Court of Justice website.

Who can issue a ticket?

Tickets may be issued by individuals who are authorized by law to enforce specific legislation. This can include:

• Police officers
• Provincial offences officers
• By-law enforcement officers
• Conservation officers 

More information

Visit Legal Line’s Highway Traffic Act section for more information on traffic tickets and other common traffic offences.

More information on traffic tickets, fines, and how to request a meeting to resolve your case can also be found at ontario.ca.

								
You now have 3 options:
								

									
More answers about Provincial Law
									
Master List: 2,500 Legal Answers
																													
																		
Government Links