Affect of go train fine on citizenship application

[pleasehelpmeguys]

I am a Canadian PR, and plan to apply for citizenship in about a year. In a super frustrating and unfortunate incident, I recently received a violation ticket from go because my tap did not work, and the train ticket inspector gave me a ticket for $100. The relevant parts of the ticket are listed below -

"Notice of violation pursuant to Metrolinx bylaw No.7"

"I believe the violation was committed by the person or the vehicle noted herein"

"Did commit a violation of
Fail to show valid ticket when directed"

"Metrolinx bylaw No. 2 Section 2.19"

I am curious if -

1. Is this bylaw violation criminal in nature? Will paying the fine be accepting guilt for something criminal?
2. Will this show up on my RCMP background checks? If so, would my best bet be to challenge this ticket in court?
3. Will this ticket have any impact on my Canadian citizenship application?
4. Will this have any impact on my U.S. visa prospects?

Inviting @dpenabill , @hfinkel, @Rob_TO, @Mthornt, @Alurra71, @mgnlky, @21Goose, @shannon388, @Alex54321, @chintanapatel to answer.

 

[shannonxtreme]

I am a Canadian PR, and plan to apply for citizenship in about a year. In a super frustrating and unfortunate incident, I recently received a violation ticket from go because my tap did not work, and the train ticket inspector gave me a ticket for $100. The relevant parts of the ticket are listed below -

"Notice of violation pursuant to Metrolinx bylaw No.7"

"I believe the violation was committed by the person or the vehicle noted herein"

"Did commit a violation of
Fail to show valid ticket when directed"

"Metrolinx bylaw No. 2 Section 2.19"

I am curious if -

1. Is this bylaw violation criminal in nature? Will paying the fine be accepting guilt for something criminal?
2. Will this show up on my RCMP background checks? If so, would my best bet be to challenge this ticket in court?
3. Will this ticket have any impact on my Canadian citizenship application?
4. Will this have any impact on my U.S. visa prospects?

1. No. Bylaw violations and fines are not criminal. Paying the fine is an admission that you violated a bylaw. Still not criminal.
2. Probably not. Fines for bylaw violations, parking tickets, and even some speeding tickets are warnings, not charges.
3. No.
4. I do not know, but probably not.

If you want to be safe, you can even add a section about it in your letter of explanation attached to your application for citizenship.

Remember - most fines of this nature are meant to educate you not to do it again. They aren't a punishment.

 

[21Goose]

No, this will have no impact on anything immigration/legal/work-related background check etc. This is a civil violation, not a criminal violation. It's like getting a parking ticket.

 

[pleasehelpmeguys]

Thanks or the replies. The back of the ticket provides an option of just paying the fine and says "I do not wish to dispute the charge and voluntarily pay the amount...."

The use of word "charge" has me worried. Does that mean it is criminal charge?

 

[Seym]

No it's not a criminal charge.

 

[shannonxtreme]

Thanks or the replies. The back of the ticket provides an option of just paying the fine and says "I do not wish to dispute the charge and voluntarily pay the amount...."

The use of word "charge" has me worried. Does that mean it is criminal charge?

"Charge" in this context means "accusation". The officer who issued the ticket is accusing, or charging, you with violating a bylaw. It's just a formal way to say that.

 

[v_g1973]

there is no way to link presto to SIN etc.

 

[shannonxtreme]

there is no way to link presto to SIN etc.

Pretty sure the ticket is issued to am actual ID document.