Bill 36, Respecting Private Property Act, 2014

Bill 36 2014

An Act to amend the Trespass to Property Act

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

   1.  Subsection 2 (1) of the Trespass to Property Act is amended by striking out "a fine of not more than $2,000" in the portion after clause (b) and substituting "a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $2,000". 

   2.  Subsection 12 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out "for an amount in excess of $1,000" at the end and substituting "for an amount in excess of $25,000".

Commencement

   3.  This Act comes into force on Royal Assent.

Short title

   4.  The short title of this Act is the Respecting Private Property Act, 2014.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Currently, a person who is convicted of trespassing under subsection 2 (1) of the Trespass to Property Act is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000. The subsection is amended to provide for a minimum fine of $500.

Currently, under subsection 12 (1) of the Act, a court is permitted to award damages against a person convicted of trespassing under section 2, but the award cannot be for an amount in excess of $1,000. The subsection is amended to increase the amount to $25,000.