GORE BAY—For a number of years, predating the impact of the pandemic, the Provincial Services Act committee has reported a deficit, requiring Island municipalities to kick in funds to keep the wheels of (mostly) vehicular justice turning.
During its recent meeting, the POA board was informed that this year’s books look to be coming in with a surplus—largely thanks to increases in revenue from enforcement, but also a result of more tickets being dealt with through mediation, without the need for a court appearance.
POA manager Aly Niemi noted that the budget to date was sitting at a current surplus of $38,924, a far cry above the situation last year which saw a deficit of $11,554 (which was itself an improvement over the nearly $25,000 budgeted for).
“Since COVID, we have been operating at a deficit, but this year we’ve experienced some revenue increases due to procedural changes and improved enforcement,” said Ms. Niemi. “Our goal is to end 2024 with a surplus and to continue this momentum moving forward. Our staff is continually learning and connecting with the extensive network of POA offices throughout Ontario. By leveraging all available resources, we’ve streamlined our processes and ensured that we are meeting all of our requirements.”
Revenue to date was up to $150,896, far more than the $109,759 that was in the budget for year end. The trend in increased revenue and decreased costs is anticipated to continue.
The OPP has brought in significant increases in the number of officers in the Manitoulin Detachment as a pilot, and the impact on POA revenue is likely, at least in part, a result.
Ms. Niemi, who is relatively new to her post and this being her first POA meeting, noted a number of improvements that have been made to the POA operations.
Those improvements included a customer service focus—with timely access to justice, increased early resolutions and trail backlog clearing, a move to following up on failure to respond issues daily, and the keying in of tickets as they come in. The improvements also included removing barriers to payment by adding an online option.
Ms. Niemi also noted that a part-time POA position has been eliminated (although severance costs at the board have hidden some of those savings). She is also working with the Temiskaming Shores on the replacement of the POA servers.
A POA manager, she has met with the Espanola POA office and attended a number of conferences and delegations, including an Association of Municipalities of Ontario meeting with the Attorney General where ongoing sustainability issues were discussed with the province.
Ms. Niemi noted that, going forward, management would be investigating options for collections and working with the regional senior justice of the peace on the future of the Little Current satellite court.
In 2024, so far, there have been 1,257 tickets files, compared to 1,170 last year, 74 early resolutions have been heard (compared to 75 in all of 2023), while 638 matters were heard in court in (compared to 241 in all of 2023). There were 532 fail to respond convictions (compared to 143 in 2023).
