SOCAN theme park music tariffs (2023–2025)

Summary#

• The Copyright Board published new music‑licence rules from SOCAN for theme parks for the years 2023 to 2025.
• The rules set how much parks like Ontario Place and Canada’s Wonderland must pay to play songs and host live musical entertainment.

What it does#

• Sets two separate tariffs:
  • SOCAN Tariff 12.A – Theme Parks, Ontario Place Corporation and Similar Operations (2023‑2025): a royalty of $3.03 per 1 000 persons on days music is performed, plus 1.5% of the park’s “live music entertainment costs.”
  • SOCAN Tariff 12.B – Canada’s Wonderland and Similar Operations (2023‑2025): a royalty of $6.55 per 1 000 persons on days music is performed, plus 1.5% of “live music entertainment costs.”
• Defines “live music entertainment costs” as the direct money spent by the park (or for the park) on live entertainment. It excludes costs for:
  • stage props, lighting, set design and costumes
  • renovation, expansion, furniture and equipment
• Sets payment and reporting steps for parks:
  • provide an estimate and pay 50% of the estimated royalties by June 30 each year
  • pay the remaining estimated amount by October 1
  • file an audited final statement within the earlier of 30 days after the season ends or January 31 of the following year
• Allows SOCAN to audit a park’s records on reasonable notice.
• Excludes music concerts that charge a separate or extra admission fee beyond park entry.
• Requires interest on late payments at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate (calculated daily). All fees are before taxes.

Who's affected#

• Theme parks and similar amusement operations in Canada, specifically places like Ontario Place and Canada’s Wonderland.
• Park owners and operators who book live music or play recorded music in the park.
• Indirectly, event producers, performers and suppliers may feel the effect if parks change their entertainment budgets.
• If it’s unclear whether a facility counts as a “theme park,” the notice itself doesn’t expand on that; affected operators may need to confirm their status.

Why it matters#

• Parks will pay a predictable mix of a small per‑person fee and a share of what they spend on live music.
• That can affect decisions about how much live music to program, how big shows can be, and possibly ticket or admission pricing.
• The exclusion for separately ticketed concerts means music festivals inside parks may be treated differently than regular in‑park entertainment.