St. John’s, NL (April 11, 2025) – Helen Conway Ottenheimer, Progressive Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice and Public Safety and MHA for Harbour Main, is questioning the Liberal’s commitment to the fines option program following years of delays and excuses.

“After almost a decade of being proposed, the Liberal government appears no closer to allowing people with large fines the ability to perform community service to reduce the amount owed,” said Conway Ottenheimer. “In fact, over the last year, the number of fines owed has increased to $51.7 million.”

During budget estimates this week, the Department of Justice confirmed that the fines option program is still not operational.

"We’ve been hearing about this program for years — yet we’re no closer to seeing it in action. Each year we ask about the program and each year the Liberals give us excuses. It’s time for the Liberal government to be upfront and honest. Yes or no, will people be given the opportunity to work off their fines or is this program no longer a priority for them?” asked Conway Ottenheimer.

The fines option program was first mentioned by Minister Andrew Parsons in 2017. In 2019 it was featured prominently in the Liberals’ Throne Speech: Our government will explore the creation of a fines option pilot program, which would enable those in marginalized groups with outstanding fines to settle their debt by performing community service work providing social benefits to the community and to participants.

“If the fines option program was important enough to be highlighted in a throne speech, it’s important enough for the Liberals to stop delaying and finally take action to implement the program,” concluded Conway Ottenheimer.