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Not, is not the correct word. Yes, they could, just not as it sits today for the cost of the permit. What they could NOT do, is keep the cost for a permit at the already too low price.    To be honest, this discussion has been fruitful for me.   So I have said over and over, get rid of the MTO.   As I sit here now, I would say I can see the benefit of them being involved. I have a better understanding of the broader picture of their involvement.   That said, I still say there needs to be an adjustment to the agreement to allow more flexibility on price control of the permit. The OFSC are too handcuffed on this part of it, and there needs to be some other way to allow for it.   Maybe implement something where the OFSC can by pass the MTO approval on the annual basis, to allow a max. percentage increase for a year ( say to cover off a great winter ) - not to exceed a total gross increase over a 3 year period - something like that. allow for some flexibility for working together more and helping the greater good - but keep some rails in place.    

You have to keep in mind those are good practices, but they aren't requirements under any regulations. We see claims denied and not successful in the absence of sweep logs, salt logs, etc. all the time. They are a piece of your defence, but not your only defence.   

Signage standardizing is as a result of claims. It's good risk management, but make no mistake, the signage and standardizing of it came as a result of claims.    This will always be a moving target as claims work their way through the system.  The wording of the OLA offers good protection, but it's not bullet proof.    

There lies the problem, whether we like or hate MTO. Any attempt to create an OFSC fee for service trail permit would be a beacon to the legal community and subject the OFSC to a "reasonable" "duty of care" that you would expect of any other business.   What the OFSC offers to protect those who enter the trail network would eventually be compared to amusement parks, ski hill operators and other fee for service recreational activites. If you think things are bad today, you can't help but wonder how these enhanced requirements would impact volunteers and landowners.  Just like the team member aisle checks at Walmart or bathroom inspections, imagine the need for a club to log multiple trail inspections per day?

Insurance was the reason for the OFSC to get the MTO involved.   "Duty of care". All club board members have to take Risk Management and Signage training. Signage is now standard across the province and all clubs have to follow the same rules. ie "Slow" signs only tell you there is a hazard, anomaly, bridge, tight turn, etc. coming up approx 100-120 meters ahead. The responsibility is now on the rider to navigate it safely, not on the clubs to tell you what it is. The club has to sign off that the trail has all the correct signage, fallen trees/hazards removed, etc. before the trail can be opened for the first time every year.