“This loss in revenue is due to COVID-19,” said Stéphane Parisien, chief administrator for the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR), during the March 24 council session.
The UCPR receives money from the Provincial Offences Office twice a year under the terms of the Provincial Offences Act (POA). The POA money comes from ticketable offences such as highway infractions like speeding, or other regulatory infractions. The UCPR then distributes the POA revenue among its eight member municipalities based on their property tax assessments..
The 2020 POA revenue for the UCPR totals $295,085, which is less than in previous years. Fewer vehicles on the road during the pandemic because of last year’s non-essential travel restriction and police focus on dealing with other issues related to the pandemic are listed among the reasons for the drop in POA revenue.
UCPR council also approved a write-off of $44,556.40 in POA revenue from 118 unpaid fines. The reason for the write-off is that the money is considered beyond recovery by the POA office or any collection agency because the person ticketed is now dead, or has left Canada and not expected to return and the account itself is now five years overdue, there is a declaration of bankruptcy, or for other reason.