NDP: Ford putting fans first is long overdue

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario NDP Shadow Attorney General Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre), and Shadow Minister for Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Tom Rakocevic (Humber River—Black Creek) say Doug Ford finally taking aim at ticket resellers would be welcome news.

The Official Opposition called for a ban on the resale of tickets above face value in October, while fans were being priced out of the Toronto Blue Jays’ return to the World Series.

“Supporting your team or seeing your favourite artist shouldn’t be a major financial decision,” said Wong-Tam. “Doug Ford has left Ontarians vulnerable to a system rife with fraud, automated bots, and predatory resellers, while we have consistently called for a complete ban on resale above face value.

“Blue Jays fans had to pay ridiculous prices to see the World Series, and now FIFA World Cup attendees face the same reality. The Ford government must take meaningful action, and provide a solution that can’t be circumvented by ticket resellers. Ontarians deserve a government that will protect them from exploitative pricing.”

“The Premier taking action on predatory ticket resellers — especially since he removed all limits on resellers in 2019 — is long overdue,” said Rakocevic. “I’m glad that the Conservatives have finally heard our recommendations, but any solution can’t be a half-measure, like the previous Liberal government’s 50% above resale cap.

“The issue of ticket re-sale rip-offs even predates the Raptors’ championship run. If the Ford government had taken it seriously, Ontarians would have been protected from price-gouging during the recent World Series. If they’re serious about looking out for Ontario consumers, they’ll make sure there are no loopholes, and strong enforcement mechanisms in place to keep Ontarians’ hard-earned money in their pocket.”