York Region is adopting new procedures and technology to ensure court and tribunal services are timely and efficient, according to a news release.
A progress report provides an overview of advancements over the past year to the courts’ system and a blueprint for actions for the remaining three years of the 2023-2026 plan.
2023 accomplishments include:
- Working to protect the natural environment by successfully arguing cases resulting in precedent-setting sentences under the York Region forest conservation bylaw;
- Establishing a regional administrative penalty tribunal program to move bylaw and camera-based charges from the Provincial Offences Court system to a cost-effective administrative process;
- Collecting $23.6 million in fines to help administer court operations, ensuring courts remain financially self-sufficient;
- Serving more than 152,200 customers and scheduling 67,871 court appearances.
Many actions identified for 2024 are already underway or completed, the news release stated, including consolidating York Region’s two Provincial Offences Courthouses into one location at 17150 Yonge St. in Newmarket. Other identified actions for 2024 include:
- Launching York Region’s administrative penalty tribunal program for camera-based offences;
- Implementing a diversity, equity and accessibility strategy for legal and court services;
- Improving customer services through timely and accurate address verification processes.
York Region’s Provincial Offences Court provides administrative services to more than 30 law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Most court matters can be dealt with online, including paying a ticket, requesting disclosure and court appearances. Information in both official languages is available online.
