FAIR PLAY ONTARIO

Hon. Doug Ford,
Premier of Ontario

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Fair Play Ontario — Standing Up for Jobs, Fairness, and Common-Sense Regulation

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We, the undersigned, are asking for your help.

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Ontario’s small businesses, hospitality workers, and communities are being harmed by the AGCO’s sudden decision to shut down GotSkill 2026 machines across the province — without proper review, without notice, and without any meaningful dialogue.

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These actions ignore the basic principles of administrative fairness that every Ontario regulator is expected to follow. These decisions were made without a proper review (as AGCO itself conducted in the past by examining software and code), without notice (contrary to prior practice), and without dialogue (despite years of meetings and consultations between AGCO and GotSkill).

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For hundreds of establishments, income from GotSkill machines helps cover rent, payroll, and rising operating costs. Losing that revenue has meant reduced hours, layoffs, and in some cases the risk of closure. The hospitality sector has already endured more than its share of hardship - already battered by the pandemic, inflation, tariffs, and soaring costs — cannot absorb more disruption.

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This is not theory. It is real jobs, real income, and real families affected.

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We respectfully request that your government ensures that:

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1. Pause all AGCO enforcement while a fair and transparent review of GotSkill 2026 is completed or until the Ontario Court conclude a Judicial Review.

2. AGCO allows the machines to operate during the review, including any Judicial Review, as has been done previously with new versions.

3. AGCO meet with GotSkill (along with representative of the Province) to establish a lawful, responsible, and sustainable solution that protects jobs and revenue for the hospitality sector.

4. AGCO acknowledge the serious economic harm these actions have caused to small businesses, workers, and communities.

5. Province of Ontario conducts an independent review of AGCO’s process, including the lack of administrative fairness, proper notice, proper review, meaningful communication before enforcement decisions are made.

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Ontario businesses are already being hurt by the new U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports — economic pressure coming from outside the country. It is difficult to understand why, at a time when foreign governments are harming our economy, an Ontario regulatory agency would choose to make things even worse for small businesses.

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Premier Ford, we ask you directly: Is there something wrong with what GotSkill is trying to do? Premier Ford, is that not exactly what every responsible Ontario entrepreneur strives for — innovation, lawful operation, and contribution to the province’s economy and community life?

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This is not about politics. It is about fairness, accountability, protecting Ontario jobs and livelihoods. Regulators must remember that their decisions and actions are not just an abstract exercise but materially affect the lives of the people of Ontario.

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We ask for your leadership in restoring common sense and fairness to this process.