Administrative Monetary Penalties

The purpose of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) Act is to establish, as an alternative to the existing penal system and as a supplement to existing enforcement measures, a fair and efficient administrative monetary penalty system for the enforcement of the agri-food Acts, including the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). The powers, duties and functions under the AMPs Act in relation to the Pest Control Products Act were transferred from the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to the Minister of Health in 2000.

Penalties may be imposed under the AMPs Act in relation to any contravention of the PCPA and regulations that is designed as a "violation" in the AMPs Regulations.

The penalties are imposed through an administrative process which does not involve the courts,with no resulting criminal record or imprisonment.

These can be imposed in place of, or in addition to, other sanctions available under the PCPA and Regulations.

More information:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations Respecting the Pest Control Products Act and Regulations
• Fact Sheets: Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs)
• Order Transferring Responsibility to the Minister of Health Canada
• Statute