Before AMPS, the process for disputing tickets was through the provincial judicial system.  Wait times to appeal a ticket could be several months. AMPS however, is fully managed by the Town of Hawkesbury and both Screening Review meetings and subsequent Hearing Review appeals to the Screening Review are expected to be resolved within several weeks from the date of the penalty being issued. 

With AMPS replacing the current judicial process for appealing tickets, valuable court time will be freed up and utilized by our courts to deal with more serious matters. 

The Town of Hawkesbury’s AMPS program also provides the public with greater flexibility as to where, when, and how they can interact with the Town in resolving their penalty notice, creating a more streamlined, customer-focused service.

The (AMPS) is an emerging approach to dealing with minor by-law infractions, in a manner that is fair, effective, and efficient. This approach has been adopted by numerous municipalities, the province and the federal government and is designed to streamline the enforcement process and increase compliance with the Town of Hawkesbury’s parking by-laws. 

The AMPS program of enforcement transfers by-law disputes from the courtroom to the municipality using independent Screening and Hearing Review Officers who can modify, cancel, or affirm penalties. This approach aids in reducing congestion in the courts as well as providing a more local and accessible dispute resolution system. 

The use of the AMPS program has become a common practice amongst numerous municipalities, the province, the federal government, and in other jurisdictions around the world. In Ontario, the use of municipal AMPS is legislated under the Municipal Act, 2001. 

This measure was introduced to help the over-burdened courts by streamlining the process and allowing municipalities to handle minor by-law infractions. 

Resolving minor by-law infractions could potentially take months in the congested court system. The new AMPS program helps to speed up the process by resolving minor by-law infraction matters in weeks while maintaining an individual’s right to request a review of their Penalty Notice. 

The AMPS Program is more effective because: 

• Citizens can resolve by-law matters in a more convenient and citizen-friendly environment; 
• The Town is more capable in dealing with minor by-law infractions in a timely manner; 
• Citizens may request an extension of time in which to request a review by a Screening or Hearing Review Officer; 
• Citizens may request an extension of time to pay a penalty from a Screening or Hearing Review Officer; 

• It reduces congestion in provincial courts; and, 
• Better use of court time and other resources for more serious matters – the AMPS Program allows the over-burdened provincial courts to address more serious matters such as Highway Traffic Act offences. 

A Penalty Notice is the same as a “ticket” except that it requires payment of a penalty instead of a fine. The Penalty Notice is issued by a Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officer to an individual when they have committed a by-law infraction. 

The Town of Hawkesbury Municipal Enforcement Officers can issue a Penalty Notice through the following methods: 

• In person 
• On vehicle 
• Via mail

Note: Parking-related Penalty Notices are generally issued by attaching the notice to the vehicle or by serving the notice directly to the operator. 

1. Pay the Penalty Notice; or 

2. Request a review by a Screening Officer.

1. In person at the Client Services Centre (cash, cheque, debit) 
2. Via mail at Town of Hawkesbury, 600 Higginson Street, Hawkesbury, ON K6A 1H1
3. Online with credit card at https://ipn.paymentus.com/cp/hawk?lang=en

The registered owner of the vehicle or the person named in the Penalty Notice may request an initial review ("Screening") of the Penalty Notice by a Screening Review Officer by submitting a request for a Screening Review by calling the Client Services Centre at 613-632-0106 and speaking to a customer service representative.

If the matter is still in dispute following the review by the Screening Review Officer, you may request a review by a Hearing Review Officer. A request must be made within fifteen (15) calendar days following the receipt of the Screening Review Officer’s decision. It is important to note that you may only appeal the Screening Review Officer's decision and that only the information/evidence submitted at the Screening will be considered at the Hearing Review. 

No. 

A fee is not charged for a review of a Penalty Notice.  

Anyone can make payment on your behalf if they have your Penalty Notice and licence plate number. 

The registered owner of the vehicle or the person named in the Penalty Notice is the only one who can request a Screening or Hearing Review and must attend the scheduled Screening or Hearing Review appointment. 

An authorized representative (witness) may also attend a Screening or Hearing Review if they are authorized by the registered owner of the vehicle, or the person named in the Penalty Notice.