Council to back getting tough on fines

Town council is expected to support a request from the Regional Municipality of Durham to get tough on those who have unpaid fines under the Provincial Offences Act (POA) at tonight’s regular meeting.
Council has been asked, along with other Ontario municipalities, to endorse recommendations in the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards’ “White Paper” and request that the province take immediate action to begin the implementation of the recommendations for fine collections and enforcement.

The request has been reviewed by the Administration and Finance executive committee.
In a report from town treasurer Laurie Witherspoon, she noted the “White Paper” cites a lack of resources dedicated to fine collection and enforcement, coupled with a lack of effective tools to enforce court-ordered fines.
“The absence of effective current collection measures, together with the passage of time, results in greater difficulties in collecting fines,” she noted.
The OAPSB recommends expanded collection tools, such as:
•requesting the province improve inter-ministry collaboration and information sharing;
•that Ontario negotiate the power to garnish federal income tax returns and other federal monies paid out for non-payment of POA fines;
•that vehicle impounding and additional demerit points be considered as penalties for non-payment of POA fines;
•that driver’s licence and plate suspensions become penalties for non-payment of any POA fine (regardless of type); and
•that the Ministry of the Attorney General improve the quality and accessibility of POA fine data.
The public portion of tonight’s meeting is scheduled to start at 6:50 p.m.
Other business on the agenda includes:
•a report re: a request from the Watten volunteer fire department to use Russell Hall at Sunny Cove Camp;
•Minutes of Settlement for property located at 840 Fifth St. W.;
•a travel and per diem claim for Coun. John Albanese re: a “meet and greet” with the district FedNor manager;
•an activities report from the Operations and Facilities Division;
•a proclamation request from the Lupus Foundation of Ontario re: “October is Lupus Awareness Month” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a letter of concern from Lorraine Brown re: accessibility issues at the Memorial Sports Centre;
•a letter from A. Anderson re: bill for day care services;
•a request from the La Verendrye General Hospital Auxiliary re: an amendment to lottery licence M538394;
•a bylaw to establish the retention periods for documents and records of the Town of Fort Frances;
•a bylaw to approve an amendment to an option to purchase agreement with SkyPower Ltd. re: 1003 Frog Creek Rd.; and
•a request from MPP M. McNaughton re: support of Private Member’s Bill 76, being an Act to Amend the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Act of 1999.