Toronto 
Ontario is increasing financial penalties for ticket resellers who break provincial rules by selling event tickets for more than their original total purchase price.
Credit: City of Toronto
The new enforcement measures take effect on June 10, 2026. Under the changes, repeat offenders could face administrative penalties of up to $25,000, up from the current maximum of $10,000. The province will also allow the designated director under the Ticket Sales Act, 2017, to publicly name ticketing businesses when enforcement action has been started against them.
Stephen Crawford, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, said the move is intended to hold resellers accountable when they exploit fans and raise costs for families.
The changes follow measures outlined in the 2026 Ontario Budget, A Plan to Protect Ontario, which included a ban on reselling tickets above their original purchase price. That price includes the full all-in cost of the original ticket, such as fees, service charges and taxes, along with fees, service charges and taxes on the resale.
The rules apply both to people reselling tickets and to platforms that help facilitate ticket resales for events in Ontario.
Businesses that do not comply can already face compliance orders or charges. If convicted, individuals can be fined up to $50,000, while corporations can face court-ordered fines of up to $250,000.
Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport, said the goal is to help keep tickets available for fans who want to attend live sporting events, rather than having them taken up through unfair pricing practices.
The province said ministry officials recently inspected 27 major secondary ticketing platforms and are pursuing enforcement where appropriate. Some compliance orders have already been issued.
Starting June 10, compliance and enforcement information will also be posted on the Consumer Beware List.
