Case Study
Repeat Punishment
An Ontario man complained to the Ombudsman that he was being penalized twice for a drunk-driving offence. He had previously lived in British Columbia, where he had been convicted, served his penalty, and had his B.C. driver’s licence reinstated. However, upon his return to Ontario, the Ministry of Transportation repeatedly told him that provincial legislation required him to complete a driver rehabilitation program, pay to have an interlock device installed in his vehicle for a year and pay a fine before he could obtain an Ontario licence.
Believing he had no other choice, he began the process to enroll in the “Back on Track” program at a cost of approximately $600. Meanwhile, he had to rely on his pregnant wife and others to drive him and his construction equipment to work at various job sites.
Ombudsman staff reviewed the legislation that the Ministry of Transportation was relying upon, and contacted officials there, who acknowledged they were wrong to make the man pay a penalty when he had already done so in B.C. The man received his Ontario licence and a refund of his $600. He told the Ombudsman’s Office that he would be using the refund to pay for a road trip out West with his wife and new baby.