Skating Rink Music Tariff 2026–2028

Summary#

The Copyright Board published SOCAN Tariff 7 – Skating Rinks (2026-2028) on June 28, 2025. It sets the fees rink operators must pay to play music at roller or ice skating events during 2026–2028, with a percentage-based charge when admission is sold and a small flat minimum when it is not.

What it does#

• Sets a royalty for performances of works in SOCAN’s repertoire at roller and ice skating facilities for 2026–2028.
• If an admission fee is charged: the royalty is 1.2% of gross admission receipts (sales and amusement taxes excluded), but not less than $145.24 per year.
• If no admission fee is charged: an annual royalty of $145.24.
• Requires operators to estimate and pay royalties in advance based on the previous year, and to report actual receipts after the year ends.
• Allows SOCAN to audit a user’s books on reasonable notice.
• Charges interest on late payments at a daily rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate published by the Bank of Canada (no compounding).
• States that amounts quoted do not include any federal, provincial, or other taxes.
• The tariff was published under the Copyright Act.

Who's affected#

• Owners and managers of public skating facilities (ice rinks and roller-skating rinks).
• Event organizers who run public skating sessions with live or recorded music.
• Small community or non-profit rinks and free public-skating programs — they still face the $145.24 annual minimum.
• It is unclear from the notice whether strictly private or one-off home events are covered; the tariff targets performances “in connection with roller or ice skating.”

Why it matters#

• Rink operators need to budget for music licensing costs and keep records of admission receipts to meet reporting and payment deadlines (including January 31 reporting/payments).
• The $145.24 minimum can be a meaningful fixed cost for small or free community rinks.
• Non-payment or late payment can lead to audits and extra interest charges, increasing operating costs.
• These fees can influence admission pricing or whether public skating programs include music.