The Provincial Offences Act (POA) is Ontario legislation governing prosecution of provincial regulatory offences, including traffic violations, municipal bylaw offences, and provincial statute violations. POA establishes procedures for tickets, court processes, penalties, and fine collection for non-criminal matters. Ontario municipalities administer POA courts and collect fines, retaining revenues to offset administration costs. The POA system handles millions of cases annually, from parking tickets to regulatory violations. Understanding POA processes helps residents know their rights when receiving tickets and helps municipalities manage enforcement programs effectively. Other provinces have equivalent legislation under different names.