Administrative Monetary Penalty System
The Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) in the City of Markham is designed to streamline the process of enforcing minor by-law infractions, making it more efficient and accessible.
Here are the key aspects of this system:
Key Features of the AMPS
- Efficient Enforcement and Dispute Resolution
- Objective: To reduce congestion in courts and increase compliance with city by-laws.
- Process: Transfers by-law disputes from the courtroom to the municipality, handled by Screening and Hearing Officers.
- Roles of Officers:
- Screening Officers: Review the penalty notices and have the authority to modify, cancel, or affirm penalties.
- Hearing Officers: Provide a secondary level of review and can make final decisions on disputes.
- Methods of Issuing Penalty Notices
- In Person: Directly handed to the individual.
- Mail: Sent through registered or regular mail to the individual’s last known address.
- Email: Sent to the individual’s last known email address.
- On Vehicle: Especially for parking-related infractions, notices are attached to the vehicle or served directly to the operator.
- Focus on Accessibility and Compliance
- Local Dispute Resolution: Provides a local mechanism for individuals to dispute penalties without needing to go to court.
- Encourages Compliance: The system is designed to encourage adherence to municipal standards through an accessible and streamlined process.
- Tiered and Escalating Penalties
- Progressive Penalty System: Penalties escalate based on the frequency and severity of infractions.
- Deterrence: Aimed at discouraging repeat offenses and promoting ongoing compliance with by-laws.
Benefits of the AMPS
- Reduced Court Congestion: By resolving disputes locally, the AMPS helps to keep minor by-law issues out of the court system, freeing up judicial resources.
- Quick Resolution: Individuals can resolve their disputes quicker compared to traditional court processes.
- Increased Compliance: The structured, tiered penalty system effectively encourages compliance and discourages repeated violations.
In summary, the AMPS in Markham is designed to make the enforcement of minor by-law infractions more efficient and accessible, reducing the burden on the court system while encouraging compliance with municipal standards.
For general inquiries as it relates to AMPS, please contact amps@markham.ca.
- Procedures
Use these documents to help prepare you for your Screening Review or Hearing Review appointment.
Preparing for your Screening ReviewPreparing for your Hearing Review- Forms
- Authorization to Act as an AgentRequest for Disclosure
- Policies
- Conflict of Interest PolicyPublic ComplaintsFinancial Management and ReportingPreventing Political InterferenceFinancial HardshipExtension of Time to Request a Screening Review or Hearing Review Policy
- Dispute and Appeal Resolution Process
Concerns regarding parking enforcement and penalty notices will be dealt with according to the following:
Step 1
If you wish to dispute a penalty notice, you are first required to request a Screening Review appointment
https://portal.gtechna.com/userportal/markham/ticketSearch.xhtml
Step 2
After reviewing the penalty notice with the Screening Officer, you may choose to appeal the Screening Officer’s decision to the Hearing Officer, by requesting a Hearing Review appointment.
Step 3
If, after reviewing the penalty notice with the Screening or Hearing Officer, you feel that the process followed was not in accordance with the by-law, you may submit a formal complaint by sending an email to amps@markham.ca outlining your reason(s) for your complaint.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How is a Penalty Notice Issued?
A City of Markham Municipal Law Enforcement Officer can issue a Penalty Notice for a violation by:- Affixing it to the motor vehicle;
- Serving personally to the driver at the time of the violation;
- Delivering personally to the person as soon as reasonably possible;
- Sending it by registered or regular mail to the person’s last known address (which is considered served on the 7th day after it is mailed);
- Sending it by email to the person’s last known email address.
- I just received a Penalty Notice. What are my options?
If you have received a Penalty Notice, you must choose one of the two options below within 15 days from the date the Penalty Notice was issued to avoid late payment or other administrative fees.
Option 1: Pay the Penalty Notice within 15 days:
- Online https://portal.gtechna.com/userportal/markham/ticketSearch.xhtml;
- By calling 1.888.948.1408;
- In person at the Cashier's Office - Markham Civic Centre 101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario, L3R 9W3 (confirm hours of operation https://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/home/about/contact/);
- By mailing a cheque or money order (Do Not Mail Cash) to: The City of Markham - AMPs Division, 101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, Ontario, L3R 9W3. Write the Penalty Notice number on the front of your cheque or money order and make it payable to: The City of Markham.
Option 2: Dispute the Penalty Notice by requesting a Screening Review appointment with a Screening Officer within 15 days from the date of issuance online or by calling 905.477.5530.
- How can I dispute my Penalty Notice?
To dispute your Penalty Notice you must request a Screening Review appointment with a Screening Officer. You can request an appointment by doing one of the following:
- Book your Appointment Online through the Ticket Portal at https://portal.gtechna.com/userportal/markham/ticketSearch.xhtml to schedule a date and time that works best for you. If you request a Screening Review appointment online, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from NoReply@markham.ca when the appointment request is approved. If you do not receive your appointment confirmation email within 24 hours of submission, it is your responsibility to follow up on the status of your request by calling 905.477.5530.
- By Calling 905.477.5530 to speak to a live customer service representative.
- I need an Interpreter to assist me during my Screening Review or Hearing Review
If you need an interpreter, you are responsible for bringing a person to assist you during your scheduled Screening Review or Hearing Review appointment. The City does not provide an interpreter. - What if I missed the deadline to schedule a Screening Review?
Under extenuating or extreme circumstances (such as death or illness etc), you may be granted an extension to request a Screening Review appointment. Documentation may be requested. Call 905.477.5530 or e-mail amps@markham.ca for more details. - What if I don’t attend my scheduled Screening Review or Hearing Review?
If you do not attend your scheduled appointment, the Penalty Notice will be affirmed and the vehicle’s Registered Owner will be required to pay a fee for failing to attend the appointment as set out in the confirmation of appointment email. The fee for failure to appear at a scheduled appointment is $75 for a Screening Review, and $125 for a Hearing Review. - What if I am not satisfied with the Screening Officer’s decision?
If the matter is still in dispute following the review by the Screening Officer, you can request a review by a Hearing Officer on or before the payment due date listed on your Screening Decision Notice. At the Hearing Review appointment, you can provide evidence to support your claim. Hearing Review appointment, you can provide evidence to support your claim. Hearing Review appointments are open to the public. The Hearing Officer's decision is final. - Can someone else act on my behalf during a Screening Review or Hearing Review appointment?
Yes. You can authorize another person to act as your representative during a Screening Review or Hearing Review appointment. You must complete the Authorization to Act as an Agent Form and the person must bring the signed and completed form with them to the appointment. - I just received a Past Due Notice, now what?
If you received a Past Due Notice, this means that the City has not received payment of the Penalty Notice or you have not requested a Screening Review appointment within the required timeframe. You are no longer eligible to request a Screening Review appointment and must take action to avoid incurring additional administrative fees. - I just received a Final Notice, now what?
If you received a Final Notice, this means that the City has not received payment of the Penalty Notice. You must take action to avoid being placed in plate denial with the Ministry of Transportation (for parking related violations). For individuals who have not made payment and owe outstanding fine(s) and fees, the total amount could be added to your City property taxes (for Markham residents) or sent to a third-party collection agency, where additional fees will be added. - Are there any additional administrative fees?
Yes. Under specific circumstances administrative fees can be applied to your total amount due. For example, administrative fees are applied to late payments, failure to attend a scheduled Screening Review or Hearing Review appointment, and Ministry of Transportation (MTO) searches etc.
Below is a table of the applicable Administrative Fees:
Item Administrative Fee Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Search Fee $12 Late Payment Fee $25 Screening Non-Appearance Fee
(For example: failure to appear at a scheduled Screening Review appointment)$75 Hearing Non-Appearance Fee
(For example: failure to appear at a scheduled Hearing Review appointment)$125 Plate Denial Fee $20 - Why did Markham implement the AMPS program?
The Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) was introduced to help the over-burdened courts by streamlining the process and allowing Municipalities to handle minor by-law and parking violations. Resolving these matters could potentially take several months in the congested court system, however, under AMPS, minor by-law and parking matters can be resolved in weeks.
AMPS is more effective because:
- Individuals can resolve parking matters in a more convenient and citizen-friendly environment;
- The City is able to deal with parking violations in a timely manner;
- Individuals can continue to exercise their right to dispute the parking ticket by requesting an appointment review of the ticket with a Screening Officer or Hearing Officer;
- Individuals may request an extension of time to pay their Parking Ticket from a Screening Officer or Hearing Officer;
- It reduces the congestion in Provincial Courts; and,
- Allows for better use of court time and resources for more serious matters.
- Types of Penalty Notices
There are two types of parking Penalty Notices that the City issues:
Computer version
Handwritten version
- How is a Penalty Notice Issued?
- Bylaws
The City of Markham By-law 2024-137 sets out the parking penalty, associated penalty amount and any applicable administrative fees.
The City of Markham By-law 2015-94 sets out the appointment of Screening Officers and Hearing Officers for the Administrative Monetary Penalty System.
The City of Markham By-law 2018-74, a by-law to repeal and replace Municipal Law Enforcement Officers Appointment By-law 2015-62.
The City of Markham By-law 2005-188, A By-law to govern and control the parking of vehicles in the City of Markham.
Contact
101 Town Centre Boulevard
Markham, ON, L3R 9W3
Hours
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM