17. (1) A person who receives notice under section 16 may dispute the alleged failure to pay a toll on any of the following grounds:
1. The toll was paid in full.
2. The amount of the toll is incorrect.
3. The vehicle, the numbered plate or the toll device registered to the person was lost or stolen at the time the toll was incurred.
4. The person is not the person responsible for the payment of the toll under subsection 13 (1). 1998, c. 28, s. 17 (1).
Notice of dispute
(2) A person who receives notice under section 16 may dispute the alleged failure to pay a toll if the person sends a notice of dispute, setting out the grounds on which the dispute is based, to the owner within 30 days of receiving the notice of failure to pay the toll under section 16. 1998, c. 28, s. 17 (2).
Payment without prejudice
(3) The payment of a toll and related fees and interest shall not prejudice the right of a person who receives notice under section 16 to dispute the alleged failure to pay the toll, fees and interest. 1998, c. 28, s. 17 (3).
Onus
(4) The onus of proving the grounds upon which a dispute under this section is based is on the person who sends notice of the dispute. 1998, c. 28, s. 17 (4).
Decision
(5) Within 30 days of receiving a notice of dispute from a person under subsection (2), the owner shall render a decision and shall send the person a copy of the decision, with or without reasons. 1998, c. 28, s. 17 (5).
Same
(6) If the dispute is unsuccessful, the owner shall, in writing together with the copy of the decision, inform the person who gave the notice of dispute of his or her right to appeal the decision to a dispute arbitrator and shall provide the address of the dispute arbitrator. 1998, c. 28, s. 17 (6).
Failure to give timely decision
(7) If the owner fails to send a copy of the decision to the person who sent the notice of dispute within the time period required under subsection (5), the tolls and the related fees and interest that were the subject of the dispute shall be deemed to be paid in full. 1998, c. 28, s. 17 (7).