A new report on the Town of Hawkesbury’s new method of collecting and managing by-law infractions shows it has been successful in reaching its objectives, but councillors still had questions about by-law enforcement at the meeting on Monday, November 10.

In February 2025, council adopted a bylaw to implement the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) to manage municipal bylaw fines. Instead of defendants having to request a trial to be heard by a Justice of the Peace in Provincial Offences Court, the municipality uses screening and hearings officers who are able to modify, cancel, or affirm penalties. The process allows for appeals of fines to be addressed more quickly.

The report presented to council on November 10 explains that since AMPS was implemented in Hawkesbury, it has generated $74,000 in fine revenue from more than 3,600 occurrences. Screening officers have managed 275 appeals that would have otherwise gone to court.

In the Town of Hawkesbury, 14 by-law fines are managed through AMPS. Councillor Jeanne Charlebois asked what the enforcement procedure is for possible violations of by-laws involving unclean yards and pests.

Director of Public Safety Brian Wilson said that the first step enforcement officers take is to inform the property owner of an issue. Depending on the response of the property owner, letters may also be sent to the property owner indicating steps needing to be taken. If the property owner does not take action, the town steps in to clean up the yard and then invoices the property owner.

Wilson said the By-Law Enforcement Department also works with other agencies such as public health to address certain property issues.

“The officers work hard within the scope of what they can,” he said.

Wilson added that gaining compliance from property owners is not always easy. He acknowledged there are “repeat customers.”

Charlebois said officers do not need to receive a complaint to enforce an issue with an unclean yard. She said they can stop and respond if they see something.

Wilson said that approach is being encouraged more.

“There is no need for it to be complaint-driven,” Wilson said. He is encouraging officers to take more proactive initiative.

Councillor Julie Séguin asked what residents are supposed to do if they want to report a complaint about a possible by-law infraction outside business hours.

Wilson said complaints received after hours are responded to once officers are on shift. He said complex issues are sometimes held for more senior officers to address, but that is changing as training on property standards enforcement increases for newer officers.

Séguin asked for more specific hours when enforcement staff are working.

“I’m getting a lot of that question,” she remarked.

Wilson said he would obtain more specific hours for Séguin.