SOCAN Tariff for Parades (2026–2028)
Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 41: SUPPLEMENT 3
The Copyright Board published SOCAN Tariff 10.B requiring parade organizers to pay royalties for marching bands and floats with music during 2026–2028. It sets a per-band/float fee of $12.23 (minimum $45.33 per day), requires quarterly reports and payments, allows SOCAN audits, and applies daily interest of 1% above the Bank Rate on late amounts.
Summary
Summary#
The Copyright Board published a tariff called SOCAN Tariff 10.B – Parks, Parades, Streets and Other Public Areas - Marching Bands; Floats with Music (2026-2028) in the Canada Gazette on October 11, 2025. It sets the fee that parade organizers must pay SOCAN when marching bands or floats with music perform in public parades during 2026 to 2028.
What it does#
- Sets a royalty of $12.23 for each marching band or float with music taking part in a parade.
- Requires a minimum fee of $45.33 per day (even if the per-band total would be lower).
- Applies to performances in parks, on streets and other public areas during 2026 to 2028.
- Requires the event organizer to file a report with the number and dates of parades within 30 days after each quarter and to pay the royalties for that quarter.
- Gives SOCAN the right to audit organizers’ books on reasonable notice to check reports and payments.
- Says unpaid amounts accrue interest daily at 1% above the Bank Rate, and interest does not compound.
- States that the fees are exclusive of any taxes or other government levies.
Who's affected#
- Parade organizers and event producers who stage parades in public spaces.
- Municipalities and parks departments that host or permit parades.
- Community festivals and volunteer groups that run small parades.
- Owners or operators of marching bands and floats with music (indirectly, because organizers pay the fee to use music).
- It is not clear from the notice whether any exemptions or special rules apply to non-profit or volunteer-run events.
Why it matters#
- Organizers will need to budget $12.23 per band or float, with at least $45.33 due each day — this can add up for large events or multi-day parades.
- Small or volunteer-run parades may face a new administrative step (quarterly reporting) and the risk of audits.
- Late payments will cost more because of daily interest at 1% above the Bank Rate.
- The tariff makes the cost of using recorded or otherwise SOCAN-represented music in public parades explicit for the 2026 to 2028 period.
Key topics
Source: Canada Gazette