Highlights

  • The Ontario DeMolay Foundation’s charity registration is proposed for revocation due to non-compliance with tax regulations.
  • Oliver Parker from Employment and Social Development Canada is permitted to run in a provincial election and will take a leave of absence.
  • The Canadian government is regulating the use of a potentially toxic substance, octanamide, N-hydroxy-, with specific conditions and record-keeping requirements.
  • Various government appointments and new standards for White Space Devices have been announced, emphasizing diversity and transparency in leadership roles.
  • BNY Trust Company of Canada seeks approval to reduce its capital, and Green Shield Canada plans voluntary liquidation and business transfer.
  • SOCAN Tariff 2.A and Tariff 17 outline royalty collection for musical works used by commercial television stations and telecommunication, with specific licensing and reporting requirements.

Ontario DeMolay Foundation Charity Status Revoked and Public Servant Runs for Election

The Canada Revenue Agency has proposed the revocation of the Ontario DeMolay Foundation’s charity registration due to non-compliance with specific sections of the Income Tax Act. The revocation will be effective upon publication in the Canada Gazette. Additionally, the Public Service Commission of Canada has granted Oliver Parker from Employment and Social Development Canada permission to seek nomination as a candidate in the Burlington, Ontario provincial election, scheduled on or before June 4, 2026. Parker has also been granted a leave of absence without pay during the election period once he becomes a candidate. [Source]

Environmental Substance Regulation and Government Appointments Update

The Minister of the Environment, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, has assessed the substance octanamide, N-hydroxy- and suspects it may be toxic. The manufacture or import of this substance is permitted under specific conditions. It cannot be used in cosmetics, and the notifier must ensure that any person they transfer the substance to agrees to these conditions. Record-keeping requirements include maintaining detailed records of the substance’s use, quantity, and distribution for at least five years. The document also lists various government appointments, including positions in the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and various courts across Canada. Additionally, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has released new standards for White Space Devices and databases. The Government of Canada is seeking diverse candidates for various leadership positions, emphasizing a transparent, merit-based appointment process that reflects Canada’s diversity. [Source]

BNY Trust Capital Reduction and Green Shield Canada Liquidation Plans

BNY Trust Company of Canada plans to seek approval from the Superintendent of Financial Institutions to reduce the stated capital of its common shares by up to $26.5 million, following a special resolution passed by its sole shareholder. The reduction will be distributed to the sole shareholder, and the company’s Chief Financial Officer will determine the exact amount within the authorized limit. The directors and officers are authorized to execute necessary actions to implement this resolution. Additionally, Green Shield Canada received approval from the Minister of Finance for voluntary liquidation and dissolution. It plans to transfer its business, including prepayment plans, to Green Shield Canada Insurance through an assumption reinsurance agreement, with remaining property distributed to Green Shield Association. [Source]

SOCAN Tariff 2A Royalties for Canadian Commercial TV Stations 2014-2024

SOCAN Tariff 2.A outlines the royalties to be collected by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada for the communication of musical works by commercial television stations in Canada from 2014 to 2024. It defines key terms such as ambient music, cleared music, cleared program, gross income, production music, and programming undertaking. The tariff applies to private or domestic use and excludes stations owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation or those licensed under a different tariff.

Stations can choose between a standard or modified blanket license, with the standard requiring a payment of 1.9% of the station’s gross income. The modified blanket license involves a more complex calculation using Form A, which accounts for various factors such as additional expenses, timing differences, and the use of ambient and production music. Stations must report their gross income and pay royalties by specified deadlines, with audit rights granted to SOCAN to verify compliance.

Adjustments to royalties can be made if errors are discovered, and interest is charged on late payments. The tariff also includes provisions for reporting music used in cleared programs using Form B, requiring documentation to support claims of cleared music. [Source]

SOCAN Tariff 17 Royalties for Music Communication via Telecommunication in Canada

SOCAN Tariff 17 outlines the royalties to be collected by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada for the communication of musical works via telecommunication in Canada. It applies to the transmission of signals for private or domestic use by distribution undertakings, excluding uses covered by other tariffs. Definitions are provided for terms such as “affiliation payment,” “ambient music,” “cleared music,” and “gross income.”

The tariff specifies different royalty rates and conditions for small cable transmission systems, unscrambled low power television stations, and other distribution undertakings. Small systems pay a flat rate of $10 annually, while other undertakings calculate royalties based on affiliation payments and gross income. Programming undertakings can choose between a standard or modified blanket license, with specific conditions and reporting requirements for each.

Royalties are due quarterly, and both distribution and programming undertakings must provide detailed reports to SOCAN. The tariff includes provisions for audits, confidentiality, and adjustments for errors. Interest is charged on late payments, and all amounts are exclusive of taxes. Forms are provided for calculating royalties and reporting music use in cleared programs. [Source]

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