Fines are issued daily across Canada for offences as benign as parking tickets to something more serious, like theft or disorderly conduct. While some fines may be low enough to make only a small dent in your wallet, others might be hundreds or thousands of dollars. So, what can you do if you can’t afford to pay a fine?
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to participate in a Fine Option Program, which lets you work off your fine rather than paying it with money. Let’s talk more about this program and how it varies from province to province.
What Is The Fine Option Program?
The Fine Option Program allows Canadians to avoid paying fines by doing supervised, unpaid volunteer work. This can be particularly helpful for those short on cash and are unable to cover these costly fines.
Most provinces and territories have a Fine Option Program, except Ontario, which revoked its program in 2016, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Who Is Eligible For The Fine Option Program?
Eligibility for the Fine Option Program varies from province to province. That said, certain qualifications are typically shared across Canada and the different programs in each province and territory, such as the following:
- Be an adult (some provinces may have programs specifically for young offenders)
- Be unable to afford the fine payment
- Register with the appropriate office or Assigned Agency
How To Apply To A Fine Option Program
To apply to a Fine Option Program in your province, you’ll need to register for the program with the court. They will determine if you and your fine are eligible for program participation.
As part of the application program, you may be asked to provide certain documents, including a notice of fine or notice of conviction. There may also be province-specific documents you may be asked for.
What Happens If You Simply Don’t Pay Your Fine?
If you don’t pay your fines, such as parking tickets, speeding tickets or other traffic tickets, it can affect your credit score.
Recently, a woman named Lisa Prosser, had her credit score tanked due to unpaid fines. According to Prosser, some of the fines are 20 years old, yet they’ve only appeared on her credit report now.
Unfortunately, according to insolvency trustee Samantha Galea, provincial and municipal fines have no statute of limitations. That means there’s no restriction on when these debts can be collected.
Moreover, a spokesperson for the City of Toronto said Provincial Offences Act fines stay on file permanently because it’s considered Crown debt. As such, unpaid fines don’t go away and can be pursued at any point in time.
What Are Assigning Agencies?
The Fine Option Programs in the Northwest Territories, Quebec, and in Indigenous communities and residentials, differ slightly from other jurisdictions. In these locations, Assigning Agencies facilitate the program and coordinate the assigned community service work instead of monetary payment of fines. In essence, Assigning Agencies serve as a mediating party between offenders and the legal bodies.
Applicants in these provinces and territories must submit a request to an Assigning Agency, who will then forward that request to the appropriate legal party. You will receive a letter with details about the application process and necessary documents.
Quebec
Residents of Quebec can find an Assigning Agency near them and get more information about the province’s Compensatory Work program by contacting their local YMCA. You can also call 1-514-849-8393 to make an appointment or visit this page for more information.
Mohawk Council
Those under the Mohawk Council must first determine their eligibility by contacting the Community Service Monitor (CSM), who will then notify the Fine Collector to see if the individual is eligible for compensatory work. You must sign an Affidavit of Service and return it to the agency, then wait for the official Order stating your acceptance into the program.
A formal agreement is sent to the CSM with details on the number of hours that must be completed and the time frame within which the hours must be worked. Then, you’ll receive information about your placement. For more information about this process, please visit. akwesasne.ca
Northwest Territories
Assigning Agencies are also used in the Northwest Territories for the Fine Option Program. These agencies help local offenders find other ways to satisfy their fines if they cannot pay their fines in cash.
For more information on the Fine Option Program in the Northwest Territories or to find an Assigning Agency, call Corrections Service at 1‑867‑767‑9263 or email them at corrections@gov.nt.ca.
How Long Does It Take To Work Off A Fine Or Ticket?
The number of hours you must work depends on the amount of your fine. Generally speaking, your assigned hours will be calculated by dividing the fine by the minimum wage in your province.
In addition to being assigned a certain number of hours to work, you’ll also be given a work schedule and the period within which your volunteer work assignment must be completed. That said, the duration of the program cannot exceed 2 years. You’ll be given an agreement that specifies all these details and will be credited for hours worked at your province’s minimum wage rate.
For more information, please check the criminal code.
Which Provinces Have A Fine Option Program?
Almost all provinces have a Fine Option Program, with the exception of the following:
- Newfoundland and Labrador. Newfoundland and Labrador recently launched a pilot project to test if community service can be used as a way to pay off traffic fines. However, the program was unsuccessful.
- Ontario. The province’s Fine Option Program was revoked on June 3, 2016.
What Types Of Fines Can You Work Off Through The Fine Option Program?
Each province’s Fine Option Program details the types of fines that may or may not be dealt with:
- Alberta: This program is only for those with unpaid Criminal Code fines.
- Saskatchewan: Not specified.
- Manitoba: Fines that are not eligible include offences under the Provincial Offence Act or the Highway Traffic Act and parking tickets.
- New Brunswick: Not specified.
- Nova Scotia: Fines that are not eligible include those that violate a municipal bylaw or an offence related to driving or parking a motor vehicle.
- PEI: Fines cannot be overdue.
- Northwest Territories: Not specified.
- Quebec: Fines include those over $25,000 that have resulted in a sentence.
To determine if your fine is eligible, contact the Fine Option Program in your jurisdiction.
Fine Option For Federal Victim Surcharge (FVS)
The Federal Victim Surcharge (FVS) is a monetary penalty that offenders are given when they’re sentenced. The money collected from these surcharges goes toward programs that help crime victims. The following provinces/territories have a Fine Option Program, but they’re only available for federal victim surcharge satisfaction:
- Alberta (offenders may only participate in the Fine Option Program if failure to pay these fines will lead to a default custody period)
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Yukon
The Lieutenant Governor in Council has set a time frame to satisfy the federal victim surcharge in only the following provinces:
- Alberta: Time frame is determined by legislation and can range from 2 months to 2 years.
- Saskatchewan: Time frame used is 30 days.
- Ontario: Time frame used is 30 days for summary conviction, and 60 days for an indictable offence.
Provincial Fine Option Programs
| Province | Fine Option Available? | Fine Option For FVS? | Program Contact Information |
| Saskatchewan | Yes | Yes | 1-306-787-3333 Individual office contact info |
| Alberta | Yes | Yes | 1-855-738-4747 |
| New Brunswick | Yes | No | Individual office contact info |
| Manitoba | Yes | Yes | Winnipeg: 1-204-945-6313 Toll-free: 1-800-282-8066 |
| Northwest Territories | Yes, through Assigning Agencies | Not specified | 1‑867‑767‑9263 corrections@gov.nt.ca |
| Nova Scotia | Yes | No | 1-866-443-6995 |
| PEI | Yes | No | 1-902-368-6061 |
| Québec | Yes, referred to as Compensatory Work Program | Not specified | Montreal: 1- 514-849-8062 Québec: 1-418 525-9622 |
Alberta Fine Option Program
The Fine Option Program in Alberta allows offenders to perform community service instead of paying cash to cover their fines. The program is available to offenders at least 18 years old, though there is a similar program for youth offenders through Social Services.
Participants work on specific projects and earn credits of minimum wage for every hour worked. The current rate is $8.80 per hour, though compensation rates depend on the minimum wage at the time of program participation. Community work may be done between 8 am and midnight, any day of the week.
Placements vary, and can include the following:
- Work crews with the Alberta Justice Attendance Centre
- Recreation centres
- Non‑profit charities
Offenders also have the option to split compensation between cash payments and community work. Making a partial cash payment can reduce the number of community service hours required. However, if you agree to participate in the Fine Option Program but don’t complete it, you could face jail time.
Saskatchewan Fine Option Program
In Saskatchewan, Fine Option Agencies assign community service work to offenders who register to have their fines settled. A court order must be obtained to be eligible for the program and to register. Community service work in the Fine Option Program should be treated much like a regular job. For example, punctuality, quality of performance, and time off for sickness or other valid reasons.
If you’re currently receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, you may qualify for program participation as long as it doesn’t negatively affect your ability to continue actively looking for employment.
Saskatchewan has agreements with Manitoba and Alberta to permit some out-of-province fines to be dealt with through community service work in another province.
Manitoba Fine Option Program
The Fine Option Program in Manitoba allows people to pay many fines through volunteer work. However, certain fines are not eligible for this program, including:
- Offences under the Provincial Offence Act
- Offences under the Highway Traffic Act
- Parking tickets
You must register at a Community Resource Centre where you will be assigned community service work and a specified number of work hours. Examples of eligible community work include maintenance or repairs at churches, schools, parks, seniors’ residences, etc. Work may also include assisting community residents, such as seniors and the disabled.
If you don’t complete your assigned task, a warrant will be issued.
New Brunswick Fine Option Program
The Fine Option Program in New Brunswick allows adults and youth to volunteer to satisfy an eligible fine. To be eligible for this program, offenders must be unable to pay the fine and appear in the Provincial Court or Court of King’s Bench wherever the program is offered. Further, the offence in question must be eligible under the program, and a warrant must not have already been issued or executed.
Those unwilling or unable to work and who have the financial resources to pay the fine cannot participate in the Fine Option Program.
Nova Scotia Fine Option Program
Nova Scotia’s Fine Option Program has been in effect since 1990 and is administered by Correctional Services, Department of Justice. The program allows individuals to perform approved community service work to fulfill their obligations instead. The hours of required work are determined by dividing the fine by the minimum wage in the province.
The Fine Option Program is available to any adult who has been fined, except where the fine is for a municipal bylaw or an offence related to driving or parking a motor vehicle.
To be eligible for the program, offenders must first register and pay the victim surcharge portion in full.
Prince Edward Island Fine Option Program
PEI allows eligible individuals to participate in the Fine Option Program and pay off a fine through community service work. Probation Services must approve the work. To be eligible for the program, the fine cannot be overdue. The number of volunteer hours to be worked is determined by dividing the fine by the minimum wage in the province.
If you don’t complete all required volunteer work hours, you’ll be credited for the number of hours completed, and the rest of the fine must be paid to the court. If the fine is not satisfied, you may be refused a licence or permit, or your driver’s licence could be suspended. In more severe cases, a judgment may be entered against you in civil court, or you could face jail time.
Northwest Territories Fine Option Program
In the Northwest Territories, organizations can join the province’s Fine Option Program as Assigning Agencies and work with the Department of Justice Probation Services to coordinate the Fine Option Program. Assigning Agencies help offenders find alternative solutions to paying fines while encouraging self-improvement and community engagement.
Assigning Agencies can be local or Indigenous governments, non-profit organizations, community groups, or Band Councils, and can do any of the following:
- Manage community service work
- Track participant progress and ensure program adherence
- Monitor success rates
Quebec Work Compensation Program
The Quebec Compensatory Work Program is available to adults who have a sentence because of a fine over $25,000 and can’t pay their fines. The program provides an opportunity to perform voluntary community work for non-profit organizations to pay off their debt. Volunteer work placements can include food banks, places of worship, recreational facilities, and other non-profit organizations.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been given a fine that you can’t afford but don’t want to suffer the consequences of failing to pay, a Fine Option Program may be a suitable alternative. If your fine is eligible for the Fine Option Program in your province, consider dedicating some of your time and efforts to volunteer work to pay your dues. Not only will it help you avoid more severe consequences, but it can also empower you to do good for your community.
