SOCAN Tariff for Theme and Water Parks

Summary#

This notice publishes SOCAN Tariff 12.A – Theme Parks and Water Parks (2026-2028). It sets the fees parks (other than Canada’s Wonderland) must pay to SOCAN for playing music during 2026–2028: $3.36 per 1,000 persons (rounded to the nearest 1,000) plus 1.5% of live music entertainment costs, with required estimates, payments and reporting.

What it does#

• Sets a per-attendance fee of $3.36 per 1,000 persons on days music is performed. Attendance is rounded to the nearest 1,000.
• Adds a variable charge equal to 1.5% of “live music entertainment costs.”
• Defines “live music entertainment costs” as direct spending on live entertainment, and excludes spending on stage props, lighting, set design, costumes, renovations, facility expansion, furniture and equipment.
• Requires parks to file an estimate and pay 50% of estimated royalties by June 30 of the tariff year, with the remaining estimated amount due by October 1.
• Requires an audited final statement of attendance and live music entertainment costs within the earlier of 30 days of the close of the season or January 31 of the following year.
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit a user’s books on reasonable notice during normal business hours to check the reported figures.
• Excludes events that charge a separate or additional admission for a music concert from this tariff.
• Charges interest on late payments at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate (calculated daily, non-compounding). All amounts are net of taxes.

Who's affected#

• Operators of theme parks and water parks across Canada, except Canada’s Wonderland and “similar operations.” It is unclear from the notice which other parks qualify as “similar operations.”
• SOCAN, the music licensing organization, which will collect these royalties.
• Park guests are not directly named as paying the tariff, but they could feel indirect effects (see Why it matters).

Why it matters#

• This changes the cost of playing music live or otherwise in parks. Park operators will need to budget for the fixed per-person fee and the 1.5% charge on live-entertainment spending.
• The payment and reporting rules create recurring administrative work and require accurate attendance and spending records. SOCAN can audit those records.
• Higher music-related costs could influence decisions about how much live music parks offer, how shows are staged, or potentially ticket and concession prices for visitors.
• The notice leaves ambiguity about what counts as a “similar operation,” which could matter to some parks deciding if the tariff applies to them.