Those who break the law and don’t pay outstanding court fines would bear the cost of collecting on those debts under proposed changes to the Summary Convictions Act introduced by Attorney General Andrew Swan.
“The cost of collecting fines should be borne by those responsible for breaking the law and then failing to pay, not by the taxpayer,” said Swan. “Strong deterrents and enforcement actions tell offenders the justice system is serious about ensuring the laws of Manitoba are obeyed and that there are serious consequences for wrongdoing. Those who have broken a law need to pay the price for it.”
Additional costs are incurred by the province to collect on fines when they are not paid in a timely way and significant government resources are spent on fine enforcement including supporting a collection unit and fees paid to an independent collection agency, said Swan. The proposed changes would give the province the ability to pass these costs on to the offender.
The amendment would build on the province’s efforts to enhance an already vigorous array of enforcement tools, improving compliance with the payment of fines, said the minister. Offenders are already responsible for the cost of most enforcement actions. Not paying fines can have significant consequences as the province has the ability to refuse to renew driver’s licence and vehicle registrations, garnish wages or bank accounts and seize, and sell or place liens on the personal property of offenders who do not pay their fines.
The change would apply to both individuals and businesses that do not respond within 30 days of a final payment notice being issued by the province.
Summary conviction offences include charges under the Highway Traffic Act, the Liquor Control Act and offences under various other provincial statutes. The additional charges proposed will apply to new matters and any fines that are outstanding when the changes take effect.
