SOCAN parade tariff for marching bands (2026–2028)

Summary#

This notice publishes SOCAN Tariff 10.B – Parks, Parades, Streets and Other Public Areas - Marching Bands; Floats with Music (2026-2028) from the Copyright Board. It sets the fees that event organizers must pay when marching bands or music-playing floats perform in parades between 2026 and 2028.

What it does#

• Sets a fee of $12.23 for each marching band or music float that performs in a parade.
• Requires a minimum fee of $45.33 per day (so even small parades pay at least this amount).
• Requires the event “user” to file a report and pay royalties no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter in which performances occurred.
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit a user’s books and records with reasonable notice during normal business hours to check the reports and payments.
• Charges interest on late payments, calculated daily at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate (effective on the last day of the previous month); interest does not compound.
• Notes that all amounts are exclusive of any taxes or government levies.

Who's affected#

• Parade organizers, municipalities, festival producers, or anyone who brings marching bands or floats that play music to public parades or street events.
• Performers themselves are not named as the payer in the notice; the obligation falls on the “user” who hires or hosts the performance (the source uses that term).
• SOCAN (the music licensing organization) is the rights-holder administering the tariff.

Why it matters#

• Small community parades and larger festivals will have a clear per-band/float cost to budget: $12.23 per unit with a $45.33 daily minimum.
• Event organizers must keep simple quarterly records and pay on time, or face daily interest and possible audits.
• This changes the predictable cost of using recorded or otherwise SOCAN-represented music in public parade settings for the years 2026 to 2028.