SOCAN Tariff for Theme and Water Parks

Summary#

The Copyright Board published SOCAN Tariff 12.A – Theme Parks and Water Parks (2026-2028). It sets how much operators of theme parks and water parks (other than Canada’s Wonderland and similar parks) must pay SOCAN for playing music from 2026 to 2028.

What it does#

• Charges park operators a fee of $3.36 per 1 000 persons in attendance on days music is performed (attendance is rounded to the nearest 1 000).
• Adds a fee equal to 1.5% of the operator’s “live music entertainment costs.”
• Defines “live music entertainment costs” as direct money spent on live music performances, but excludes spending on stage props, lighting, set design, costumes, renovations, expansion, furniture and equipment.
• Requires parks to estimate attendance and live-music costs and pay 50% of the estimated royalties by June 30 each year, with the remaining estimate due by October 1.
• Requires a final, audited statement of actual attendance and live-music costs to be filed within the earlier of 30 days after the season ends and January 31 of the next year.
• Allows SOCAN to audit a park’s books on reasonable notice to check the reported figures.
• Exempts separately ticketed concerts (where a separate admission charge is charged in addition to park entry).
• Charges interest on late payments at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate (calculated daily, non-compounding).
• States that the amounts do not include any federal, provincial or other taxes or levies.

Who's affected#

• Theme park and water park operators in Canada that run live music shows between 2026 and 2028—except Canada’s Wonderland and parks the tariff calls “similar operations.”
• SOCAN, the music rights society, which collects these fees.
• Visitors are not directly charged by the tariff, but park operators may factor the costs into ticket prices or entertainment choices.
• It is unclear from the notice which parks exactly count as “similar operations” to Canada’s Wonderland.

Why it matters#

• The tariff sets predictable costs for parks that run live music. That affects how much parks budget for entertainment and could influence the number or type of live shows they stage.
• Operators must meet reporting and payment deadlines and keep records that SOCAN can audit. Missing deadlines can trigger interest charges.
• For park visitors, the change could affect the range of musical entertainment offered or, indirectly, ticket prices if operators pass costs on to users.