MANITOBA GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO MODERNIZE RULES ON TICKET RESELLING
MANITOBA GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION
TO MODERNIZE RULES ON TICKET RESELLING
Manitoba’s government has announced the Reducing Red Tape and Improving Services Act, which includes changes to several regulations to modernize ticket reselling rules. The changes include the repeal of the prohibition on reselling tickets at a markup under the Amusements Act. Consumer Protection and Government Services Minister James Teitsma stated that these changes are necessary to align Manitoba with other North American jurisdictions and reflect the evolving online marketplace.
Teitsma emphasized that Manitoba is currently the only jurisdiction in North America where it is technically illegal for sports or concert fans to sell their tickets for above list price. He added that many Manitobans currently use online sites in the grey market to sell their tickets when there is demand. These changes will bring Manitoba in line with the rest of the continent and allow for the safe buying and selling of tickets.
The Reducing Red Tape and Improving Services Act will also allow Manitoba companies to provide secondary ticket services in the province, which means Manitobans will no longer be forced to use out-of-province firms to buy or sell tickets. According to Teitsma, the Amusements Act is currently outdated and out of step with modern consumer experiences in ticket buying and selling. He stressed the importance of consumer protection, stating that they are doing what they can to ensure tickets are sold through local resellers subject to provincial consumer protection laws and not through third-party offshore vendors.
The Manitoba government’s Reducing Red Tape and Improving Services Act includes several changes to modernize ticket reselling rules, such as the repeal of the prohibition on reselling tickets at a markup under the Amusements Act. The Act will also allow Manitoba companies to provide secondary ticket services in the province, thereby ensuring that Manitobans are not forced to use out-of-province firms. The Act also includes changes to several other regulations, such as allowing planning notices to be sent electronically, updating the Teacher Pensions Act, and more.