SOCAN Busking Tariff 2026–2028
Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 41: SUPPLEMENT 2
The Copyright Board published SOCAN Tariff 10.A setting a $45.33 daily royalty for strolling musicians, buskers or recorded music played in parks, streets and other public areas, capped at $310.44 for any three‑month period for 2026–2028. Users must file quarterly reports within 30 days after the quarter, pay the royalties, and may be audited by SOCAN; late payments incur daily interest at 1% above the Bank of Canada rate and taxes are extra.
- Published
- October 11, 2025
- Department
- Unavailable
- Section
- COPYRIGHT BOARD
- Comment deadline
- Unavailable
- Effective date
- Unavailable
- Publication part
- Part I
Summary
Summary#
This notice publishes the SOCAN Tariff 10.A – Parks, Parades, Streets and Other Public Areas - Strolling Musicians and Buskers; Recorded Music (2026-2028) from the Copyright Board on October 11, 2025. It sets a fee of $45.33 per day for playing works in SOCAN’s repertoire in public areas, capped at $310.44 for any three‑month period during 2026 to 2028.
What it does#
- Sets the daily royalty for performances by strolling musicians, buskers or by recorded music in parks, streets and other public areas at $45.33 per day.
- Caps fees at $310.44 for any three‑month period.
- Requires the user to file a report and pay applicable royalties no later than 30 days after the end of each quarter in which performances occurred.
- Gives SOCAN the right to audit a user’s books and records, with reasonable notice and during normal business hours, to check payments.
- States the tariff does not apply to concert performances in parks, streets or other public areas.
- Charges interest on late payments at a rate of 1% above the Bank of Canada’s Bank Rate (rate applied daily, non‑compounding).
- Says all amounts are exclusive of any federal, provincial or other governmental taxes or levies.
Who's affected#
- Performers and vendors who play or provide recorded music in public parks, on streets, parades and other public areas and who use works from SOCAN’s repertoire.
- The notice uses the term “user” to describe who must report and pay. The source does not define exactly who counts as a “user” (for example, whether that is the individual performer, a vendor, or a property owner).
Why it matters#
- It creates a clear per‑day fee and a short‑term cap for playing licensed music in public spaces for 2026 to 2028, so street performers and others can estimate music costs.
- It adds a regular reporting requirement and allows audits, which brings administrative and compliance steps for whoever must pay.
- Late payments will incur extra cost because of daily interest, and taxes are extra on top of the tariff amounts.
Key topics
Source: Canada Gazette