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Fees report - Fiscal year 2024–25

Table of contents

Minister’s message

The Honourable Joanne Thompson

I am pleased to present Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s report on fees for 2024-25.

The Department provides a wide variety of products and services ranging from recreational fishing licenses to berthage at our small craft harbours. The fees we charge for those products and services are set under the authority of a variety of acts, regulations and fee orders, notably the Fisheries Act and the Oceans Act.

Similar to last year, the report provides details on each fee, such as the type and rate of adjustment, the service standard, and performance result. As the Department is in the process of modernizing its information system, a breakdown of revenue collected for all fees will be forthcoming in the near future.

This year’s report does not include fees where the authority to collect has been delegated to provincial and territorial governments. As the report is still evolving in its processes, we will continue to work with the Governments of Quebec, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to incorporate their revenue and expenditure information. The information provides context for each fee, in the spirit of open and transparent fee management.

I welcome the increased transparency and oversight that the Service Fees Act’s reporting regime embodies. My Department and I will continue working hard to ensure we are fully aligned with its modern framework.


The Honourable Joanne Thompson, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Fisheries

About this report

This report, which is tabled under section 20 of the Service Fees Act, the Low-Materiality Fees Regulations, and subsection 4.2.9 of the Treasury Board Directive on Charging and Special Financial Authorities, contains information about the fees Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) had the authority to charge in fiscal year 2024–25.

The report covers fees that are subject to the Service Fees Act and exempted from the Service Fees Act.

For reporting purposes, fees are categorized by fee-setting mechanism. There are three mechanisms:

  1. Act, regulation or fees notice
    The authority to set these fees is delegated to a department, minister or Governor in Council pursuant to an act of Parliament.
  2. Contract
    Ministers have the inherent authority to enter into contracts, which are usually negotiated between the minister and an individual or organization, and which cover fees and other terms and conditions. In some cases, that authority may also be provided by an act of Parliament.
  3. Market rate or auction
    The authority to set these fees comes from an act of Parliament or a regulation, and the minister, department or Governor in Council has no control in determining the fee amount.

For fees set by act, regulation or fees notice, the report provides totals for fee groupings, as well as detailed information for each fee. For fees set by contract and fees set by market rate or auction, the report provides totals only.

Fees charged by DFO under the Access to Information Act are not subject to the Service Fees Act and are not included in this report. Information on DFO’s access to information fees can be found in our annual report to Parliament on the administration of the Access to Information Act.

Remissions

In 2024-25, DFO was subject to the requirements to issue remissions under section 7 of the Service Fees Act and subsection 4.2.4 of the Treasury Board Directive on Charging and Special Financial Authorities to remit a fee, in whole or in part, to a fee payer when a service standard was not met. DFO’s remission policy and procedures, pursuant to the Service Fees Act, are on the following web page: Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Policy on Remissions.

The other sections of this report provide detailed amounts for DFO’s remissions for 2024-25.

Overall totals, by fee-setting mechanism

The following table presents the total revenue, cost and remissions for all fees DFO had the authority to charge in 2024-25, by fee-setting mechanism.

Overall totals for 2024-25, by fee-setting mechanism
Fee-setting
mechanism
Revenue ($) Cost ($) Remissions ($)
Fees set by contract 1,047,865 2,129,159 Remissions do not apply to fees set by contract.
Fees set by market rate or auction 0 0 0
Fees set by act, regulation or fees notice 87,536,935 867,907,378 968
Total 88,584,800 870,036,537 968

Totals, by fee grouping, for fees set by act, regulation or fees notice

A fee grouping is a set of fees relating to a single business line, directorate or program that a department had the authority to charge for those activities.

This section presents, for each fee grouping, the total revenue, cost and remissions for all fees DFO had the authority to charge in 2024–25 that are set by the following:

Fisheries management-Licensing Fee: totals for 2024-25
Revenue ($) Cost ($) Remissions ($)
40,956,039Footnote1 315,010,314Footnote2 0

Aquaculture-Licensing Fee: totals for 2024-25
Revenue ($) Cost ($) Remissions ($)
680,151 5,973,025 0

Hydrography: totals for 2024-25
Revenue ($) Cost ($) Remissions ($)
1,508 12,990,275 0

Icebreaking services: totals for 2024-25
Revenue ($) Cost ($) Remissions ($)
5,203,820 255,693,609 968

Maintenance Dredging Services Tonnage Fee: totals for 2024–25
Revenue ($) Cost ($) Remissions ($)
7,136,159 6,181,430 0

Marine Navigation Services Fee: totals for 2024–25
Revenue ($) Cost ($) Remissions ($)
33,552,115 271,539,625 0

Small Craft Harbours Fee: totals for 2024–25
Revenue ($) Cost ($) Remissions ($)
7,143 519,100 0

Details on each fee set by act, regulation or fees notice

This section provides detailed information on each fee DFO had the authority to charge in 2024-25 and that was set by the following:

The complete list of Fisheries and Oceans Canada fees.


Fee grouping

Fisheries Management – Licensing Fee

Fee

Bait Services Fee

Fee-setting authority

Financial Administration Act, section 19: Bait Services Fee Order (SOR/96-180)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1996

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

Not applicable

Service standard

The fee did not have an established service standard.

Performance result

The fee did not have an established service standard.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Licenses for lobster pounds

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 18

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1985

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2024

Service standard

Exempt

Performance result

Exempt

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 (SOR/86-21)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1985

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2022

Service standard

Exempt

Performance result

Exempt

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 (SOR/86-21)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1985

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2022

Service standard

Commercial Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 (SOR/86-21)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1985

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2022

Service standard

Quota requests are handled by the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, whichever is later, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Schedule II Part I Item 5 - Recreational Fishing Licence

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 (SOR/86-21)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1985

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2022

Service standard

Recreational Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 (SOR/96-137)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1996

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2024

Service standard

Recreational Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Fishery (General) Regulations (SOR/93-53)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1993

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2025

Service standard

Commercial Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations (SOR/90-351)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1990

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2006

Service standard

Commercial Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Marine Mammal Regulations (SOR/93-56)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1993

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2018

Service standard

Commercial Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fishing (e) Seal - personal use

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Marine Mammal Regulations (SOR/93-56)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1993

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2018

Service standard

Recreational Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations (SOR/93-55)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1993

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2025

Service standard

Commercial Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Recreational fishing licence

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations (SOR/93-55)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1993

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2025

Service standard

Recreational Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Newfoundland and Labrador Fishery Regulations: Gill net or angling Char or Trout

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Newfoundland and Labrador Fishery Regulations (SOR/78-443)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1978

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2018

Service standard

Commercial Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Northwest Territories Fishery Regulations (C.R.C., c.847)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1985

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2020

Service standard

Commercial Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Northwest Territories Fishery Regulations (C.R.C., c.847)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1985

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2020

Service standard

Recreational Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Pacific Fishery Regulations, 1993 (SOR/93-54)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1993

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2023

Service standard

Commercial Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Pacific Fishery Regulations, 1993 (SOR/93-54)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1993

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2023

Service standard

Quota requests are handled by the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, whichever is later, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Quebec Fishery Regulations, 1990 (SOR/90-214)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1990

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2024

Service standard

Commercial Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Yukon Territory Fishery Regulations (C.R.C., c.854)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1978

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2023

Service standard

Commercial Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management - Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Yukon Territory Fishery Regulations (C.R.C., c.854)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1978

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2023

Service standard

Recreational Licence Services are handled by the later of the opening of the fishery / period of validity or within 30 business days, once all required documentation and fees have been received and there are no outstanding issues.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Fisheries Management – Licensing Fee

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Coastal Fisheries Protection Act: Coastal Fisheries Protection Regulations

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1978

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2022

Service standard

The fee did not have an established service standard.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Aquaculture Licensing Fees

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fisheries Act, section 13: Pacific Aquaculture Regulations (SOR/2010-270)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

2010

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2015

Service standard

Once a fully completed application has been received and there are no outstanding issues, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will make a decision regarding new sites or major technical amendments within 365 calendar days.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Hydrography

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Oceans Act, section 47: Nautical Charts and Related Publications Fees Order (SOR/94-281)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1994

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

Not applicable

Service standard

Exempt

Performance result

Exempt

Fee grouping

Hydrography

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Financial Administration Act, section 19: Ocean Data and Services Fees Order, 1993

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1993

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

Not applicable

Service standard

The fee did not have an established service standard.

Performance result

The fee did not have an established service standard.

Fee grouping

Hydrography

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Financial Administration Act, section 19: Ocean Data and Services Fees Order, 1993

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1993

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

Not applicable

Service standard

Exempt

Performance result

Exempt

Fee grouping

Icebreaking Services

Fee

Icebreaking Service Fees

Fee-setting authority

Oceans Act, section 47: Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 153, Number 24

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1998

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2024

Service standard

Icebreaker assistance is provided within the targeted response times as follows: Northeast and East Coast of Newfoundland: 12 hours, Gulf of Saint Lawrence: 12 hours, Saint Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers: 6 hours, Great Lakes: 8 hours. These hours are calculated from the time that the service is required until the icebreaker arrives on scene.

Performance result

The service standard was met 99% of the time.

Fee grouping

Maintenance Dredging Services Tonnage Fee

Fee

Maintenance Dredging Services Tonnage Fee

Fee-setting authority

Oceans Act, section 47: Canada Gazette, Part 1, Volume 137, Number 23

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1996

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2024

Service standard

Dredging in the St. Lawrence Ship Channel is done in accordance with maintained depths to prevent vessel grounding.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Marine Navigation Services Fees

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Oceans Act, section 47: Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 153, Number 24

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1996

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2024

Service standard

Commercial vessels are not prevented from navigating for more than 4 hours due to the malfunction or displacement of an aid to navigation or an interruption of vessel traffic services in waters serviced by the Canadian Coast Guard.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

Fee grouping

Small Craft Harbour

Fee

Fee-setting authority

Fishing and Recreational Harbours Act, section 9; Fishing and Recreational Harbours Regulations (SOR/78-767)

Year fee-setting authority was introduced

1978

Last year fee-setting authority was amended

2020

Service standard

Safe berthage, wharfage, and storage is made available to harbour users. Where deemed to be unsafe as documented by damages to vessels and/or equipment (as evidenced by third party liability insurance claims), Fisheries and Oceans Canada will issue refunds to harbour users accordingly.

Performance result

The service standard was met 100% of the time.

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