New Toll Reporting Requirements Proposed

Summary#

The Canadian Energy Regulator is proposing the Toll Information Reporting Regulations under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act (notice published December 14, 2024). If approved, the rules would require companies that charge tolls to send monthly and quarterly information to the Regulator; the public has 45 days to comment on the proposal.

What it does#

• Quarterly reports: companies that charge tolls must give the Regulator the rate of return for each three‑month period compared with the rate(s) authorized at their most recent rate hearing, or — if no rate was authorized — the rate of return on equity for that period.
• Quarterly reports must also explain any significant differences when tolls were set using forecast data.
• Quarterly reports must include information on capital, traffic, revenues and expenses for the period.
• Monthly reports: companies that charge tolls must provide monthly information about traffic.
• If the Regulator tells a company that a submission is incomplete, the company must provide the missing information the Regulator requires.
• The proposal would repeal the existing Toll Information Regulations (SOR/79‑319).
• The proposed regulations state they would come into force on the day they are registered, if approved.

Who's affected#

• Primarily companies that charge tolls under the oversight of the Canadian Energy Regulator.
• The notice does not list specific industries or types of tolls, so it is unclear from this document exactly which sectors (for example, particular pipeline or other transport operators) are covered.
• Customers, shippers and other parties who rely on tolled services may see more public information about how tolls are set and how companies are performing financially.

Why it matters#

• The rules aim to increase transparency about toll levels, the returns companies earn, and how actual results compare with forecasts.
• More frequent reporting (monthly traffic and quarterly financial/performance data) could help regulators, customers and market participants monitor tolls and service levels more closely.
• Companies will face additional reporting requirements and must respond if the Regulator finds submissions incomplete.
• This is a proposal, not a final rule. Stakeholders have 45 days from the publication date to comment. Contact details for submitting comments are provided in the Gazette notice.