The province’s justice minister calls a new pilot project that allows people to work to pay off fines a “win-win” situation.

Andrew Parsons says an outstanding issue in the province is unpaid fines. The vast majority pay fines on time, but there is a group out there who are simply not paying, or are unable to.

He says a pilot project which allows people in tough financial situations to work in lieu of pay is already used in some other provinces. They will partner with community groups so there is a social benefit to all involved.

Parsons says there are some people who just don’t care, but others simply made a stupid mistake when they were young. Some people get stuck in a cycle they cannot get out of, a situation for which he has empathy.

He says they want to do better, but are trying to dig themselves out of a whole and in many cases it’s impossible. Each case is different, but Parsons believes it will help those people. The risk is minimal and there is not a lot to lose in trying.