Steve in Ontario weather, and price point for how much weather allows for riding availability has proven to be the greatest factor in permit sales. Personally I voted against the roll back season where we went from $200 back to $180. Lean seasons before and ahead and the drop in price still brought sales and revenue up quite a bit, despite crappy seasons. I don't recall the economy at the time, I just know over all sales numbers and over all revenue increased .   Last season the board recommended a 4% increase, the membership (clubs) voted it down, thinking that the worst season we've ever seen province wide for trail availability (22-23 season) we needed to not rock the boat with riders. Was it the right or wrong call ? No one will ever know that.    But I get what you're thinking

The permit belongs to the MTO, just like a license place or val tag. The OFSC doesn't control collection and distribution, they are granted it by the MTO on behalf of it's membership. The clubs. 

A smart business has full control over their product.........................   The OFSC surrendered price control for permit enforcement. I am sure you could have had/done one w/o the other....    Lesson learned - maybe too late - but this needs to be course corrected 

Well if the costs kept going up maybe we should have been getting that voted on as early as possible and lobby for that increase. One main thing that isnt dependent on weather is inflation from money printing. A smart business plans ahead for that and increases their prices asap. The inflation problem didnt start last year either. 22' was when it really started to hit from the 900 billion we printed out of thin air the 2 years prior. It was clear to almost everyone that inflation was about to go through the roof! Did the ofsc board really believe the media/politician narrative that the inflation was "transitory"? lol good grief! 

Seems the excuse is the officers trained/available to ride the copious amounts of sleds sitting there rotting.