Collections

The Collections Unit has been successful in reducing the amount of outstanding fines revenue owing to the municipalities within the Region of Halton and continues to do so using the following methods:

• Courtesy Notices to remind you of your outstanding obligation
• Mutually beneficial payment arrangements
• Assignment of files to third party Collection Agencies
• Reporting to Equifax and/or TransUnion (credit rating impacted)
• Adding outstanding debt to municipal tax roll
• Default Judgement and action in Small Claims Court or Superior Court, such as
  • Garnishment of bank accounts or wages
  • Lien on land, houses, cottages (sale of which can be forced to pay debts)
  • Debtor Examinations in Court
  • Addition of outstanding fines to Property Tax bills

Things You Need to Know

• Before you receive a notice from the Collections Unit, it is possible that your driver's licence may already be under suspension.
• Before your file is transferred to Collections, you have already had approximately 90 days to pay your fine; after the first 45 days you would have received a Reminder Notice called a Notice of Fine and Due Date.
• Outstanding fines remain due and outstanding forever even if you file for bankruptcy (as per Section 178(1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act).
• Halton Court Services has the authority to collect Collection Agency Commissions, interest, and costs associated with actions taken in Small Claims or Superior Courts (as per Section 304 of the Municipal Act); these costs may substantially increase the amount that is owed.
• The Collections Unit of Halton Court Services would rather work with you to establish a mutually beneficial payment plan that allows you to avoid any additional costs while making regular payments that will result in your outstanding fines being paid in a reasonable time period.

Payment Options for Collections Cases

A number of different payment options are available to you.

• Fax a VISA/MasterCard payment using the Credit Card Payment form.
• Pay by cash, debit, VISA or MasterCard in person at any Provincial Offences Court office in Ontario.
• Send a completed Pre-Authorized Debit form to the Collections Unit.
• Send a completed Pre-Authorized Credit Card form to the Collections Unit.
• Pay online with VISA or MasterCard
• Note: ONLY if offence/case number has 19 digits, such as 1260 999 00 11111111 00
• Western Union:
  Pay to: Halton Court Service
  Code City: HALTON
  Account #: (located at top of collections notice)