Meeting with MPP Lise Vaugeois + Fan Expo's Statement

Hello everyone!

I want to begin this with another massive thank you to all of you for signing this petition and sending a message to Fan Expo. It means the world to me and so many others.

Recently, a representative of Change.org and I had a meeting with MPP Lise Vaugeois, the Official Opposition Critic for Seniors & Accessibility in Ontario. It was a wonderful meeting where I brought the safety hazards at Fan Expo to her attention, and requested the Fire Marshal gets officially contacted. With her support, we got a response from the Toronto Fire Services (TFS)!!

Although the TFS deemed that exits were still accessible during the event, congestion was observed and opportunities were identified to improve crowd management, crowd control, and better uses of the space. The statement concluded with the promise that the TFS are working with Fan Expo and the MTCC to help identify enhancements for public safety and the event, and ensuring that safety standards are met. They will continue to monitor and conduct inspections for events hosted at the MTCC.

I want to thank MPP Lise Vaugeois and Ann-Marie Elpa from Change.org for helping me get the connections needed to bring this to the Fire Marshal and Toronto Fire Services.

Secondly, as many of you know, on October 26th Fan Expo Canada released a statement regarding our feedback and concerns about safety hazards. They apologized for any concerns and frustrations caused by the volume of crowds this year. They plan to review the floor plans for the event, particularly in Artist Alley, and are staying in close contact with the team at the MTCC to address the escalator malfunctions. They conclude the post stating that they are listening and working on what comes next. Today, October 29th, Fan Expo Canada opened up tickets for the 2027 convention.

Fan Expo Canada has finally addressed our concerns about the volume of the crowds, but left out any comment about overselling tickets to the event. Many individuals and creators are commenting on the post and applying more pressure to Fan Expo to bring up these concerns as well. The only way we are going to make Fan Expo change is to keep applying pressure on them, raising awareness about this petition, concerns, and stories, and making our cause known. 

As a convention lover, I want to go to an event where I know I and everyone else will be safe, seen, and prioritized as fans. Fan Expo Canada needs to address all of the concerns, and share their plans to handle and improve their event. 

This is an amazing stepping stone. The Toronto Fire Services is involved, and we got a statement from Fan Expo. However, there is still work to be done before convention season next year. Thank you all so much, once again, for sharing your stories and supporting this petition. Let's keep the pressure on. If you can, please continue to share this petition, contact Fan Expo, and do whatever you can to keep our cause know to Fan Expo.

I hope you all are having an amazing week!

Cheers,
Sam