Dealer Licence Fee Rules for Controlled Substances

Summary#

These are final regulations called Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Financial Administration Act (Controlled Substances) (registration SOR/2025-245) that update how some licence fees are defined and charged. They mainly align definitions with the Controlled Substances Regulations, say which licences the fee rules cover, and set when fees must be paid. The instrument was registered on November 28, 2025 and published in the Canada Gazette on December 17, 2025.

What it does#

• Updates definitions so that the terms controlled drug and narcotic match the definitions in the Controlled Substances Regulations.
• Defines dealer’s licence as a licence issued under subsection 12(1) of the Controlled Substances Regulations that relates to a controlled drug or narcotic.
• Adds a definition of health care facility for the fee rules.
• Changes the stated purpose so the fees apply to the examination of applications under sections 11 or 15 of the Controlled Substances Regulations for issuing or renewing a dealer’s licence.
• Repeals section 29 of the Fees in Respect of Dealer’s Licences Regulations (the Gazette item does not explain what that section previously required).
• States that these fee rules do not apply to a controlled drug or narcotic that is for veterinary use only.
• Requires the fee to be paid when the application for issuance or renewal of a dealer’s licence is submitted (under sections 11 or 15).
• Sets the coming-into-force date to the day the Controlled Substances Regulations come into force, or, if these amending regulations are registered after that day, to the day they are registered.

Who's affected#

• People and businesses that apply for or renew a dealer’s licence to deal in controlled drugs or narcotics.
• Health care facilities as newly defined in the fee rules (if they apply for licences).
• Suppliers and businesses whose products are for veterinary use only — the rules say those veterinary-only controlled drugs or narcotics are excluded from these fee provisions.
• Regulators and administrators who process licence applications under the Controlled Substances Regulations.

If you are unsure whether a specific licence or product is “for veterinary use only,” the Gazette text does not provide examples, so affected parties may need to check the main Controlled Substances Regulations or contact the responsible department.

Why it matters#

• It clarifies who the fee rules cover and when payment is due, which reduces uncertainty for licence applicants and regulators.
• Excluding veterinary-only controlled substances from these fee rules could mean those licence applications are handled under a different fee arrangement or not charged under these specific fee regulations.
• Aligning definitions with the Controlled Substances Regulations helps avoid mismatches between fee rules and the main licensing rules.
• The changes will take effect at the same time as the Controlled Substances Regulations, so anyone tracking the timing of those broader rules should note the linked coming-into-force language.
• The Gazette entry notes a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement is published with the related Controlled Substances Regulations (see SOR/2025-242) for more detail on costs or benefits.