News release

Fine Option Program Modified

Justice

The province's Fine Option Program has been changed to ensure court costs and payments to the victims' surcharge fund are paid first.

The Fine Option Program allows offenders to pay off a fine by working for non-profit organizations. Beginning today, all court costs and fees relating to the victims' surcharge fund must be paid in full prior to registration with the program. Previously, the victims' surcharge was often left outstanding, and offenders could work to satisfy the court costs.

"We believe offenders should be accountable to victims and for the administrative costs to the system -- that's why we want funds collected up front," said Justice Minister Michael Baker.

The Fine Option Program is a voluntary program available to any adult with a current fine with the exception of all motor vehicle infractions (including those under the Criminal Code) and municipal bylaw offences such as parking tickets. This reflects another change in the program. Previously, some motor vehicle infractions were eligible but that is no longer the case.

In exempting all motor vehicle infractions the program more closely resembles similar models offered in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Since the program began in 1990, about 27,000 offenders have been registered with the program. About 10 per cent of all fines levied each year are registered with the program. The victim surcharge is imposed at a rate of 15 per cent of the total fine. Court costs were recently increased to $100.

The number of hours the offender is required to work is calculated by dividing the amount of the fine by the minimum wage. An unemployed offender is required to work 35 hours a week, while those employed must be available for 10 hours per week. The offender's work performance must be equal to that of a paid employee and they are responsible for their own meals and transportation.