SOCAN Tariff 21: Recreational Facilities Fee

Summary#

The Copyright Board published SOCAN Tariff 21 – Recreational Facilities Operated by a Municipality, School, College, University, Agricultural Society or Similar Community Organizations (2023-2025). It sets an annual licence fee of $235.48 per facility for certain recreational music uses in 2023 to 2025 when the facility’s related event revenue does not exceed $20,752.21.

What it does#

• Covers the performance of works in SOCAN’s repertoire at recreational facilities run by municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, agricultural societies or similar community organizations.
• Applies to recreational activities that would otherwise fall under tariffs for:
  • exhibitions and fairs, skating rinks, receptions/conventions/assemblies/fashion shows,
  • sports events, circuses/ice shows, and fitness activities/dance instruction.
• Sets a flat annual royalty of $235.48 per facility if the user’s gross revenue from those events in the tariff year does not exceed $20,752.21.
• Requires payment on or before January 31 of the tariff year and a report by January 31 of the following year confirming the revenue threshold.
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit a user’s books and records on reasonable notice during normal business hours to verify the reported revenue and fees.
• Imposes interest on late payments at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate as published by the Bank of Canada, calculated daily and not compounded. All fees exclude any federal, provincial or other taxes or levies.
• Notes that a facility paying under this tariff does not have to pay under the other listed tariffs for the events covered by this tariff.

Who's affected#

• Local governments and community organizations that operate recreational facilities: municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, agricultural societies and similar groups.
• Organizers who run exhibitions, fairs, skating sessions, sports and other community recreational events where music from SOCAN’s repertoire is played.
• SOCAN, as the collecting society that administers the tariff and may audit users.

If it’s unclear whether a specific activity or facility qualifies, the Gazette text does not provide further clarification.

Why it matters#

• It gives eligible community-run facilities a simple, flat annual fee ($235.48) to cover playing music at a range of recreational events, which can simplify budgeting and licensing.
• There are clear reporting and payment deadlines (payment and report due January 31), and interest applies to late payments, so organizations need to manage payment on time.
• The tariff only applies when event revenue stays at or below $20,752.21; the Gazette notice excerpt does not say what happens if revenue exceeds that amount.