Quebec has introduced a new bill aimed at curbing ticket scalping and undisclosed subscription renewals. Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette presented the bill on Tuesday, proposing significant changes to the province’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
According to Jolin-Barrette, neither the Quebec entertainment industry nor local artists benefit from the profits generated by resellers. He described the companies engaging in these practices as detrimental parasites on Quebec’s cultural scene.
The proposed legislation mandates that ticket resale platforms must clearly identify themselves as such and notify consumers that tickets may be available at a lower price from the official seller. Sara Eve Levac from consumer advocacy group Option consommateurs emphasized the need for transparency in ticket transactions to ensure buyers are aware of the nature of the tickets they are purchasing.
Sites selling both primary and resale tickets must explicitly distinguish between the two at the same time and in the same manner. Resellers are required to disclose specific details to buyers, including the seat location and the previous ticket owner’s name, if applicable.
Under the new rules, resale prices cannot surpass the original price set by the official seller unless explicitly authorized by the event organizer. Any additional fees for ticket transfers are prohibited. In case of event cancellations, producers must promptly inform official and authorized sellers, who must then relay the information to ticket holders.
Eve Levac noted that while there are existing protections in place, the bill aims to enhance transparency and consumer awareness regarding ticket purchases, with a focus on preventing price manipulation by resale sites.
The legislation also addresses subscription renewals by simplifying the process of canceling online subscriptions and gym memberships. It requires merchants to provide clear notifications of upcoming price changes and mandates a user-friendly cancellation option for recurring contracts.
Furthermore, the bill targets misleading advertising practices by cable and telecommunication companies, mandating the transparent display of additional fees alongside advertised prices. It also prohibits companies from including clauses in contracts that restrict customers from sharing honest reviews and mandates automatic refunds for unauthorized charges.
The bill introduces fines for non-compliance, with penalties ranging from $750 for individuals to $1,500 for companies per violation of subscription rules. Violations related to ticket resales could incur fines of up to $175,000, aligning with existing CPA penalties.
The majority of the proposed changes are set to take effect three months after receiving royal assent.