Ontario plans to cap ticket resale prices; Windsor reaction mixed on impact

Ontario is cracking down on ticket scalpers by introducing legislation to cap resale prices. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has the details.

The Ontario government is moving to cap ticket resale prices at face value; a move it says will protect fans from price gouging — but reaction in Windsor suggests the impact may be more nuanced.

The province announced Friday it will introduce amendments to the Ticket Sales Act, 2017, that would make it illegal to resell tickets for concerts, sporting events, and other live entertainment above their original ‘all-in’ cost, including fees and taxes.

“We are taking action to help ensure Ontario fans have access to fair resale prices and are not exploited,” said Stephen Crawford, the minister of public and business service delivery and procurement.

Crawford said the proposed changes are aimed at curbing professional resellers and automated bots that often snap up high-demand tickets and flip them at steep markups.

“I think it’s going to put a nice playing field out there for folks that want to go to Jays games, Leaf games, concerts,” he told CTV News. “In many cases, they’ve been priced out of the market.”

The legislation, expected to be introduced in the coming days, would apply to both individuals and companies, with the province also promising stronger enforcement and potentially higher penalties for violations.

In Windsor, where many residents travel across the border for major events or attend shows at Caesars Windsor, some say the changes are a step in the right direction — even if the local impact may be limited.

“Well, I think it’s a start,” said city councillor Renaldo Agostino.

“Anything that would benefit the consumer is a good thing.”

Agostino noted, however, that many large-scale events tied to Windsor audiences take place in nearby Detroit, where Ontario’s rules would not apply.

“It’ll be interesting to see how those laws carry over the border,” he said, adding he does not expect a major impact on Windsor’s ability to attract events.

At the street level, some in the music community say rising ticket prices have already changed how people engage with live entertainment.

“People complain about the price of tickets — they just get priced out of the market,” explained Liam O’Donnell, owner of Dr. Disc.

“It’s become unaffordable… People might grab a record instead of going to see the band they like,” he added.

Experts say the proposed cap could significantly alter the ticket resale landscape in Ontario.

Vivek Astvansh, an associate professor at McGill University, said the policy is likely to benefit consumers by removing the financial incentive behind large-scale ticket reselling.

“It is positive news for consumer welfare and general public welfare,” Astvansh said.

He added that without the potential for profit, bots and resellers may be less likely to purchase tickets in bulk — potentially making them more accessible to everyday buyers.

“Tickets will be available for a longer period of time,” he said.

“The incentives for these bots… would now be gone.”

However, Astvansh noted the policy could also influence where events are held, as Ontario joins Quebec in implementing similar restrictions while other provinces and states in the U.S. do not.

The province says the legislation, if passed, could take effect as early as this spring.