The Quebec government is preparing to introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening consumer protections, specifically targeting the practices of online ticket resellers and companies that use automatic subscription renewals. This move comes as the province seeks to address growing concerns over fairness and transparency in these sectors.
Cracking Down on Ticket Resale Platforms
The push for new rules follows recent enforcement actions against one prominent player in the market. The online ticket reseller Billets.ca has been issued 26 statements of offence for allegedly increasing ticket prices without obtaining the consent of the original sellers. This case has highlighted what consumer advocates describe as a lack of clear rules governing the secondary ticket market, where prices can be inflated significantly beyond their face value.
While details of the proposed legislative framework are still being finalized, the government's intent is to create a more regulated environment for ticket resales. The goal is to prevent price gouging and ensure that consumers are not subjected to deceptive or unfair practices when purchasing tickets through secondary platforms.
Putting an End to "Dark Patterns" in Subscriptions
Another major focus of the upcoming legislation will be automatic subscription renewals. This practice, common among streaming services, software providers, and various online memberships, often traps consumers into continued payments for services they may no longer want or use.
The proposed law is expected to mandate clearer disclosure from companies about renewal terms and could potentially require them to obtain explicit consent from consumers before charging for a new subscription period. The aim is to curb so-called "dark patterns"—design tricks that make it easy to subscribe but difficult to cancel—which have become a source of widespread consumer frustration.
A Broader Push for Modernized Protections
This legislative initiative signals Quebec's intention to modernize its Consumer Protection Act to better address the realities of the digital economy. The government recognizes that business models have evolved rapidly, and existing laws may not adequately cover new forms of commercial transactions that can disadvantage buyers.
By targeting both ticket resales and automatic renewals, the province is addressing two high-profile areas where consumer complaints have surged in recent years. The legislation, once tabled, will need to navigate the parliamentary process, but it reflects a clear political will to empower consumers and hold businesses accountable for clearer, fairer practices.
The development in Quebec is part of a larger national conversation about consumer rights in the digital age, potentially setting a precedent that other provinces may observe as they review their own regulatory frameworks.
