Certain municipalities across the province (collectively, Transferee Municipalities) have, since 2000, undertaken courts administration and court support functions under the Provincial Offences Act (POA) and prosecutions (collectively, Transferred Obligations) of all matters commenced under Parts I and Parts II of the POA in accordance with a transfer agreement between each Transferee Municipality and the province as represented by the Attorney General (Original Transfer Agreement). Some Transferee Municipalities have also assumed Transferred Obligations respecting matters commenced under Part III of the POA in accordance with a separate Interim Transfer Agreement (ITA).
In its September 15, 2006 submission to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy respecting Bill 14, Access to Justice Act, 2006, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario described the disturbing consequences of the inadequacy of resources in the Ontario Court of Justice: