AMPS
Administrative Monetary Penalty System
What is AMPS?
The Township of Carling uses the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) to process and adjudicate contraventions of certain municipal by-laws and provincial regulations. AMPS enables municipalities to manage disputes related to Penalty Notices through an administrative process rather than the provincial court system.
Designed to streamline enforcement and enhance compliance, AMPS provides a fair, efficient, and accessible method for resolving By-law infractions. Under the system, Penalty Notices may be reviewed by Screening Officers and, if necessary, Hearing Officers, who have the authority to affirm, modify, or cancel penalties.
By addressing disputes locally, AMPS helps reduce pressure on the courts while offering residents a convenient and timely dispute resolution process.
What is a Penalty Notice?
Penalty Notices are issued for violations of Township by-laws in accordance with the Township’s Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) By-law. Similar to a ticket, a Penalty Notice requires payment of a monetary penalty rather than a court-imposed fine.
Each Penalty Notice outlines the penalty amount and the date by which a response is required. You must respond by the specified due date by either:
- Paying the penalty amount; or
- Requesting a review of the Penalty Notice by a Screening Officer.
Failure to respond by the due date indicated on the notice may result in additional administrative fees and enforcement actions.
Step by Step Guide
Request a Review by a Screening Officer
Please fill out the form below and email it to: clerksoffice@carling.ca
You can also attach the PDF to the form below.
By-Laws Under AMPS
Request a Review by a Screening Officer
To dispute a Penalty Notice, you must submit a Request for Review by a Screening Officer on or before the date the Administrative Penalty is due and payable.
If you do not submit a request within the prescribed timeframe, you may apply for an extension of time to obtain a Screening Review. To be considered, the request must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Director, that extenuating circumstances prevented you from submitting the request by the original deadline.
Please note that requests for an extension of time will only be accepted within thirty (30) days of the Penalty Notice date.
Reqest a Review by a Hearing Officer
You may appeal a Screening Officer’s decision by submitting a Request for Review by Hearing Officer form. Requests must be submitted within 30 days of the date the Screening Officer’s decision is issued. Hearing reviews are conducted either in person or virtually by the Township.
If you do not submit a Request for Review by Hearing Officer before the Administrative Penalty becomes due and payable (30 days from the date of the Screening Officer’s decision), you may apply for an extension of time by submitting a Time Extension Request for Hearing Review form.
Please note that requests for an extension must be submitted within 30 days following the date of the Screening Officer’s decision. After this period, the opportunity to request a hearing or an extension will expire.
Forms
Policies
- Conflict of Interest Policy in Relation to the Administrative Monetary Penalty System
- Prevention of Political Interference Policy for the Administrative Monetary Penalty System
- Public Complaints Process Policy for the Administrative Monetary Penalty System
- Financial Management and Reporting policy for the Administrative Monetary Penalty System
- Financial Hardship Policy for the Administrative Monetary Penalty System
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay a penalty notice?
In Person: 2 West Carling Bay Road, Carling ON
We accept Cash, cheque and debit payments – Please note we do not accept Credit Cards
By Mail: Township of Carling, 2 West Carling Bay Road, Nobel ON, P0G 1GO
Online: Set us up on a Payee on your bank account, contact us at 705-342-5856 for instructions and an account number to do this.
What do screening and hearing officers do?
Upon request, a Screening Officer will review the information and evidence related to the issued Penalty Notice. Screening reviews are conducted internally by Township staff following receipt of a completed request form. After considering the information provided, the Screening Officer may affirm, cancel, or reduce the administrative penalty.
If a hearing is requested, a Hearing Officer will review the Screening Officer’s decision, along with any related information and evidence. The Township’s AMPS By-law sets out the grounds upon which a Screening Officer or Hearing Officer may affirm, cancel, or reduce an administrative penalty.
What happens if I don't attend a scheduled hearing?
Failure to attend a scheduled Screening or Hearing review, without an approved extension, will result in the Penalty Notice being confirmed and additional administrative fees being added.
What happens if I don't attend a scheduled hearing?
Failure to attend a scheduled Screening or Hearing review, without an approved extension, will result in the Penalty Notice being confirmed and additional administrative fees being added.
What happens if I ignore my penalty nitoice?
Where an Administrative Monetary Penalty, and any applicable administrative fees, remain unpaid by the person to whom the Penalty Notice was issued, the Township may:
- Notify the Ministry of Transportation of the default, which may result in licence plate denial;
- Add the Administrative Monetary Penalty and any applicable administrative fees to the tax roll for collection in the same manner as municipal taxes;
- Pursue any other collection methods available to the Township.
