SOCAN Skating Rink Tariff 2026–2028
Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 26: SUPPLEMENT 3
The Copyright Board published SOCAN Tariff 7 setting music-licence fees for roller and ice skating sessions for 2026–2028. Operators who charge admission must pay 1.2% of gross admission receipts (before sales and amusement taxes) with a $145.24 annual minimum; where no admission is charged the annual royalty is $145.24. The tariff requires annual estimated payments and reporting (payments due by January 31), allows SOCAN to audit records, and applies daily interest at 1% above the Bank of Canada rate on late amounts.
Summary
Summary#
The Copyright Board published SOCAN Tariff 7 – Skating Rinks (2026-2028) on June 28, 2025. It sets the fees music users must pay when music from SOCAN’s repertoire is played during roller or ice skating sessions for the years 2026 to 2028.
What it does#
- If an admission fee is charged, operators pay 1.2% of gross admission receipts (before sales and amusement taxes), with a minimum annual royalty of $145.24.
- If no admission fee is charged, the annual royalty is $145.24.
- Operators must estimate and pay royalties for the year based on last year’s admissions and make that payment on or before January 31 of the year covered.
- A report of actual gross receipts must be filed by January 31 of the following year and any under- or over-payments are adjusted then.
- SOCAN can audit an operator’s records with reasonable notice during normal business hours.
- Late payments incur interest calculated daily at 1% above the Bank of Canada rate (interest does not compound).
- Amounts payable do not include any federal, provincial, or other taxes.
Who's affected#
- Operators of roller and ice skating sessions who play music live or via recordings. This includes municipal rinks, private skating rinks, recreation centres, and businesses that run public skating events.
- SOCAN, as the collective administering the music rights covered by the tariff.
- It is unclear from the notice whether very large multi-use venues or occasional one-off events are treated differently; the tariff language focuses on skating-related performances.
Why it matters#
- Rink operators will face a predictable music-cost rule for 2026 to 2028, which could raise operating costs or be passed to skaters through higher admission prices.
- Small rinks or free public sessions still face a $145.24 minimum charge, which could be a significant fixed cost for low-attendance operations.
- The reporting, payment schedule, and possible audits add an administrative task for operators who use recorded or live music.
Key topics
Source: Canada Gazette