Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 160, Number 34: SUPPLEMENT 2

August 22, 2026

SUPPLEMENT 2 Vol. 160, No. 34

Canada Gazette

Part I

OTTAWA, Saturday, August 22, 2026

COPYRIGHT BOARD

SOCAN Tariff 6 – Motion Picture Theatres (2025-2027)

Published pursuant to section 70.1 of the Copyright Act

Lara Taylor
Secretary General
1‑833‑860‑7131 (toll-free number)
1‑833‑369‑0396 (TTY)
registry-greffe@cb-cda.gc.ca (email)

SOCAN Tariff 6 – Motion Picture Theatres (2025-2027)

Definitions

1. In this tariff,

“average non-premium price”
with respect to a ticket admission category means the semi-annual weighted average ticket price of all tickets sold in that ticket admission category for the most basic experience offered by the theatre for that ticket admission category. (“prix moyen hors supplément”)
“general admission revenue”
means — on a per-theatre basis — the aggregate of the number of tickets issued in each admission category in a semi-annual period multiplied by the average non-premium price for that ticket admission category for the semi-annual period. (“recettes de billetterie générale”)
“semi-annual period”
means from January to June and from July to December. (“période semestrielle”)
“ticket admission category”
means each of the four categories of i) adult tickets (typically ages 14–64), ii) child tickets (typically ages 13 and under), iii) senior tickets (typically ages 65 and over), and (iv) “other” tickets (which typically relates to special circumstances, such as discounted group purchases including for schools, loyalty programs, gift certificates and other non-standard ticket types). (“catégorie de billets d’entrée”)

Royalties

2. To perform, at any time and as often as desired in the years 2025-2027, any or all of the works in SOCAN’s repertoire, covering the operations of a motion picture theatre or any establishment exhibiting motion pictures at any time during the year, the annual royalty is as follows:

Table: Annual royalties for the period 2025-2027
Year Percentage of General Admission Revenue Minimum Annual Fee per Theatre
2025 0.094% $200.00
2026 0.096% $200.00
2027 0.098% $200.00

Application

3. This tariff does not authorize any concert or other performance of music when the exhibition of one or more films is not an integral part of the program. The royalties for those performances shall be calculated under other applicable tariffs.

Payment and Reporting Requirements

4. No later than 30 days after the end of each semi-annual period, the user shall file with SOCAN a report for that semi-annual period that sets out (a) the general admission revenue; (b) the number of tickets sold, broken down by ticket admission category; and (c) the average non-premium price for each ticket admission category, together with payment of the fees due for that semi-annual period pursuant to this tariff.

Audit

5. (1) A user shall keep and preserve, for a period of six years after the end of the year to which they relate, records from which the information used to calculate the general admission revenue and royalties payable by the user can be readily ascertained.

(2) SOCAN shall have the right to audit the user’s books and records, at any time during the period set out in subsection (1), on reasonable notice and during normal business hours, to verify the statements rendered and the royalty payable by the user.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), if an audit discloses that royalties due have been understated in any month more than 10%, the theatre shall pay the reasonable costs of the audit within 30 days of the demand for such payment.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), any amount owing as a result of an error or omission on the part of SOCAN shall not be taken into account.

Adjustments

6. If, as a result of the discovery of an error or otherwise, the amount of the royalties paid or payable, including excess payments, requires an adjustment, then either SOCAN or the user shall immediately notify the other party, provide an explanation for the claimed adjustment, and propose an adjustment solution, such solution subject to the other party’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld). Adjustments shall not be made in respect of any other royalties or fees owed to SOCAN by the user under another tariff or agreement without both parties’ consent. No adjustment may be made to royalties paid more than six years previously. For clarity, this provision does not apply to any adjustments pursuant to an audit conducted under this tariff.

Taxes and Interest on Late Payments

7. (1) All amounts payable under this tariff are exclusive of any federal, provincial or other governmental taxes or levies of any kind.

(2) Any amount not received by the due date shall bear interest from that date until the date the amount is received. Interest shall be calculated daily, at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate, as published by the Bank of Canada, effective on the last day of the previous month. Interest shall not compound.

8. Any amount owed by virtue of this tariff in respect to any semi-annual period covered by this tariff shall be due on Friday, November 20, 2026.