Provincial Offences Act

The Provincial Offences Act (POA) is a provincial statute that sets out procedures for the prosecution of offences under other provincial statutes and regulations and municipal by-laws.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding, municipalities are responsible for the administration of courts hearing Provincial Offences Act matters and the prosecution of certain POA cases on behalf of the Attorney General.

A Provincial Offence is the name given to a minor act of law-breaking. Most provincial offences are settled by paying a fine after receiving a provincial offence notice or ticket.