Fines may also be determined by severity or prevalence of the misdemeanour: jacking deer, out of season, fishing without license etc. Some years ago I dropped in on a buddy, a businessman, in a neighbouring province. His staff said he wasn't there, and I asked when he would be back. Some baleful looks all around until they said he wouldn't be back for a long while. He had been convicted for jacking deer. I've known murder and manslaughter convictions of less time. Buddy went on to become mayor.
PS---Re keith's above. I've left a trail of minor misdemeanours across Canada and the US over the years. The .22 Ruger pistol was in my survival kit. The time was 40 years ago of crossing borders without customs checks in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, upper New York states. Taking liquor across illegally would have been considered more seriously than having a pistol (later Savage .22/20ga Model 24) for survival. On the tarmac in Buffalo, I saw customs confiscate an American's Cessna twin 310 for bringing in one bottle of undeclared rum from St. Pierre et Miquelon.
