While Alberta’s new legislation makes make cheating in ticket sales illegal, by banning the use of scalper bots, we in BC wait while government reinvents the wheel

Yesterday (August 1st) the government of Alberta completed the process to implement a ban on software (BOTs) used to scoop up event tickets ahead of real people. 

What's a BOT?  For those unaware, a BOT is computer software programmed to quickly scoop up tickets from primary sellers, before real customers (you and me) have the chance. That inevitably leads to an extremely limited availability of tickets ... and ... HUGELY inflated prices on tickets sold by resellers, and exposure to a greater risk of fraud.

Residents of Alberta will now be protected from companies gouging them, and now joins Ontario and Saskatchewan with legislation in place (Quebec has legislation but currently not in effect) to try and prevent this from happening.

British Columbia?  Not so much ... in fact -- not at all!  It seems the process of putting together legislation to ban BOTs in BC, at least to me, is being unnecessarily delayed.

A March 6th Government News Media Release stated:

Government will begin by conducting a three-week survey on British Columbians’ experiences with ticket buying, reselling, and buying from resellers. That information will be used to develop recommendations for improving affordability, fairness and transparency.

And that:

Once the survey concludes, ministry staff will use the results to develop recommendations for improving fairness and transparency

Given that a Canada-wide Angus Reid poll showed that four in five Canadians would agree with outright banning of software ("bots") being used, to jump the queue, when tickets go on sale I asked for a comment from the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, on the following questions:

• Can you advise where the province is with recommendations being developed?
• What they might be?
• When will consumers in BC be able to be included in the list of provinces being protected from unscrupulous ticket price gougers.

Mike Farnworth, Minister ofPublic Safety and Solicitor General

Surprisingly, I received a prompt response, but given what it contained, it actually wasn't a surprise at all.  Media spokesperson Colin Hynes advised me that ... at this point in time I cannot provide you with more than this statement Minister Farnworth wanted me to give to you. That said, I can—if you would like—send you a copy of the Ticket Buying questionnaire results Minister alludes to below once they are released. Let me know if this is something you’d be interested in.

And what was the statement from Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General? 

“Over 6,500 British Columbians completed the survey on their personal ticket buying practices this spring. Staff are now reviewing the results and government will make a summary report available this summer.

Preliminary results suggest that British Columbians are active in buying tickets for live events, and that there is strong support to make changes that would enhance fairness and transparency. These results will go towards helping me make an informed decision about ticket buying regulation that benefits British Columbian’s throughout the province.”

This is a statement that many would considered to be obvious.  We all are well aware that we buy tickets to live events, and we want fairness in being able to purchase them.  

What I wanted to know is if the Minister, and staff working on this file, were aware of legislation currently on the books in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan (as well as Quebec)?  If so, would it not then be possible to review legislation already in place in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, to create our own legislation, with possible modifications needed for the uniqueness of our own province?

I asked, "What timeline is in place for legislation to be developed and brought forward?"

I also asked, "Do you expect any difficulties in having it approved by Andrew Weaver's Green Party ... or the BC Liberals?"

Early this morning, from the Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, came this reply in 18 very brief words, "At this time we have nothing further to add past this statement. Look out for the report soon."

Over in Alberta yesterday, the Minister of Service Alberta, Brian Malkinson, stated:

“We’ve heard, over and over again, that game and concert tickets sell out very quickly and Albertans aren’t able to see their favourite team or band. When tickets are scarce, consumers are forced to pay sky-high prices or they are scammed by questionable resellers. Our government believes Albertans deserve better. These new rules will ensure they have a better shot at getting the tickets they want.”

Here in BC all the Honourable Mike Farnworth has to say is that we (the residents of BC) are ... active in buying tickets for live events... and we want government to ... enhance fairness and transparency.

Alberta’s new legislation will make cheating in ticket sales illegal by banning the use of scalper bots

In BC we continue to wait while the NDP government reinvents the wheel already created by 3 provinces, with one more (Quebec) not far behind.

To me it doesn't make sense.  Maybe it does to you, but I doubt it very much.

In Kamloops, I'm Alan Forseth ... over to you now.  What do you think?  Post your opinion below in the Comments section.