NDP calls on Ford to put fans first and end ticket resale price gouging

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario NDP Shadow Attorney General Kristyn Wong-Tam has tabled a motion calling on the Ford government to update the Ticket Sales Act by banning the resale of tickets above their face value.

The motion comes as Toronto Blue Jays fans are priced out of the team’s historic return to the World Series by resellers.

“While dodging questions about his unfolding jobs disaster, and his labour minister’s shady dealings, Doug Ford is only now talking about “maybe” protecting Ontarians from predatory ticket resellers, just days before the World Series begins,” said Stiles. “Blue Jays fans don’t have time for the Premier’s usual wait-and-see, govern-by-the-polls approach.

“Ontarians shouldn’t have to go into debt to support their team or see their favourite artist. If Ford’s Conservatives don’t allow this motion to pass, then Blue Jays fans can point the finger squarely at him when they’re priced out of the World Series.”

“Doug Ford says he doesn’t think it’s fair that ticket resellers are price gouging fans, but it was he and his government that removed the cap on ticket resellers in 2019,” said Wong-Tam. “This has left Ontarians at the mercy of a system overrun by fraud, automated bots, and predatory resellers who charge far beyond face value for tickets.

“This motion gives the Ford government a chance to stop with the soundbites and slogans, and finally put fans first by banning resellers from making excess profits off of Ontarians.”

“Within seconds of going online to try and buy a ticket, Blue Jays fans are being met with insanely high-priced resale tickets, and this government isn’t doing anything about it,” added Shadow Minister for Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Tom Rakocevic. “One of the first things this government did when it got elected was remove all limits on resellers, essentially handing them a blank cheque while leaving fans to figure it out.

“While the Ford Conservatives are all talk and no action, and the Liberals can only come up with the same half-measures that would allow resellers to charge more than face value, our motion puts fans first and would make it illegal for anyone to resell tickets for even a cent above the original price.”

BACKGROUND:

• The Ticket Sales Act enacted under the previous Liberal government capped ticket resale prices, but only up to 50%.
• The Ford Conservatives made changes to the act in 2019, allowing resale for any amount above face value.
• In 1993, a face value ticket to the World Series cost $62.67 when adjusted for inflation.
• In 2025, a face value ticket at the 500 level cost $495, before fees.