2017 to 2018 Fees Report

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Minister's Message

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau,
Privy Councillor, Member of Parliament,
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

On behalf of the Canadian Grain Commission, I am pleased to present the 2017 to 2018 Report on Fees.

On June 22, 2017, the Service Fees Act received royal assent, thereby repealing the User Fees Act.

The Service Fees Act introduces a modern legislative framework that enables cost-effective delivery of services and, through enhanced reporting to Parliament, improved transparency and oversight. The act provides for:

  • a streamlined approach to consultation and the approval of new or modified fees
  • a requirement for services to have service standards and reporting against these standards, along with a policy to remit fees to fee payers when standards are not met
  • an automatic annual fee adjustment by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to ensure that fees keep pace with inflation
  • annual detailed reporting to Parliament in order to increase transparency

This 2017 to 2018 Fees Report is the first report prepared by the Canadian Grain Commission under the Service Fees Act. The report includes new information such as a detailed listing of all fees along with future year fee amounts. Additional fee information will be included for even greater transparency starting in the next fiscal year, once the Canadian Grain Commission fully transitions to the requirements of the Service Fees Act.

I welcome the increased transparency and oversight that the Service Fees Act embodies, and I am pleased to oversee the transition to this modern framework.

Chief Commissioner’s message

Chief Commissioner, Patti Miller

Patti Miller
Chief Commissioner
Canadian Grain Commission

As Chief Commissioner, I’m proud of the changes we have made to our grain forecasting model to ensure that our fees better reflect the cost of providing Canadian Grain Commission services and that they mitigate the risk of further accumulation of surplus funds. I invite you to read our 2017 to 2018 Fees Report to learn more about how we are transitioning to the modernized Service Fees Act.

Canadian Grain Commission fees are fixed in Schedule 1, Fees of the Commission in the Canada Grain Regulations. The Canadian Grain Commission is funded through a revolving fund, which is based on charging fees for our services, and appropriation.

In 2017-18, the Canadian Grain Commission consulted with stakeholders to update our fees and service standards to mitigate the risk of further accumulation of surplus funds and to better align fees with operational costs. Effective August 1, 2017, we updated our model for forecasting grain volumes to ensure that fees reflect the actual cost of providing services, following the 2017 User Fees Consultation and Pre-Proposal Notification. We also reduced fees for official inspection and weighing services by 24 percent. The Canadian Grain Commission has committed to review its fees every five years. Reductions in August 2017 were implemented 8 months ahead of the end of the five-year review cycle and I am pleased to report that, in 2017-18, the fee reductions resulted in sector savings of $10.8 million.

On April 1, 2018, a new fee schedule and service standards took effect. Fees for many of our services are lower, while several other fees were combined or eliminated. The amended fees align revenues and costs, and factor in projected increases in grain volumes inspected and weighed by the Canadian Grain Commission. We expect that these changes will save the grain sector approximately $15.5 million per year going forward.

Starting in 2019-2020, the Canadian Grain Commission will adjust fees for inflation each year on April 1 in accordance with the new Service Fees Act. The adjustment will be based on the percentage change over 12 months in the April All-Items Consumer Price Index for Canada, for the previous fiscal year.

The Canadian Grain Commission is committed to clear and transparent reporting to Parliamentarians and Canadians through the Service Fees Act.

General fees information

The tables that follow provide information on each category of the Canadian Grain Commission’s fees, including:

  • the name of the fee category
  • the date that the fee (or fee category) was introduced and last amended (if applicable)
  • service standards
  • performance results against these standards
  • financial information regarding total costs, total revenues and remissions

In addition to the information presented by fee category, there is a summary of the financial information for all fees as well as a listing of fees under the Canadian Grain Commission’s authority. This listing includes the existing fee dollar amounts and the adjusted dollar fee amounts for a future year.

General and financial information by fee category

General Information

Fee category Outward official inspection
Fee-setting authority
Year introduced 1912
Year last amended 2017
Service standard
  1. Outward official inspection – ships
    1. 1. When grain being loaded is other than grade ordered, the Canadian Grain Commission will inform the elevator staff by form IW-7.
    2. applicable documents for final outward inspection will be issued within two business days after all of the following have been met:
      1. completion of loading;
      2. receipt of final documentation request from the shipper/exporter; and
      3. completion of all required analytical testing results.
    3. Grades are accurate (based on the official sample).
  2. Outward official inspection – railway cars, trucks, containers
    1. When grain being loaded is other than grade ordered, the Canadian Grain Commission will inform the elevator staff by form IW-7.
    2. Applicable documents for final outward inspection will be issued within two business days after all of the following have been met:
      1. completion of loading
      2. receipt of final documentation request from the shipper/exporter; and
      3. Completion of all required analytical testing results
    3. Grades are accurate (based on official sample)
Performance results
  1. Outward official inspection – ships: 99.8 percent.
  2. Outward official inspection – railway cars, trucks, or containers: service not requested during the reporting period.
Other information During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission commenced a review of its fee structure to ensure that fees accurately reflect the costs of providing services and reflect updated grain volume projections. Consultations with stakeholders took place from March 1 to May 1, 2017. Subsequently, the Canadian Grain Commission reduced official inspection fees 8 months before the end of the five-year fee review cycle. Proposed changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on April 22, 2017 and final fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on July 12, 2017. Effective August 1, 2017, the fee for official inspection of grain discharged to ships was reduced from $1.70 to $1.35 per tonne. The fee for official inspection of railway cars, trucks or containers was reduced from $153.43 to $121.12 per inspection. Two supplementary fees for overtime related to official grain inspection services were also eliminated at that time. Service standards were subsequently updated April 1, 2018.
Financial information (dollars)
2016 to 17 Revenue 2017 to 18 Revenue 2017 to 18 CostFootnote 1 2017 to 18 RemissionsFootnote 2
69,568,301 61,210,546 53,359,611 Not applicable
Fee category Inspection of submitted samples
Fee-setting authority
Year introduced 1930
Year last amended 2013
Service standard
  1. Inspection of submitted sample – unofficial sample
    1. An I-126 submitted sample certificate will be issued within five business days of receiving the sample and completion of all required analytical testing results, subject to operational commitment.
    2. Grades are accurate (based on the submitted sample).
  2. Inspection of submitted sample – Certified Container Sampling Program
    1. An I-125 submitted sample certificate will be issued within five business days of receiving the sample and completion of all required analytical testing results, subject to operational commitment.
    2. Grades are accurate (based on the submitted sample).
  3. Inspection of submitted sample – Accredited Container Sampler Program
    1. An IW-3 official inspection certificate will be issued within five business days of receiving the sample and completion of all required analytical testing results, subject to operational commitment.
    2. Grades are accurate (based on the official sample).
Performance results
  1. Inspection of submitted sample: 99.4 percent.
  2. Inspection of submitted sample – Certified Container Sampling Program: service not requested during the reporting period.
  3. Inspection of submitted sample – Accredited Container Sampler Program: service not requested during the reporting period
Other information During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission commenced a review of its fee structure to ensure that fees accurately reflect the costs of providing services and reflect updated grain volume projections. This was part of a five-year fee review cycle to keep fees in line with the costs of providing services. Consultations with stakeholders took place from March 1 to May 1, 2017. Proposed fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 16, 2017 and final fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on March 21, 2018. Effective April 1, 2018, the fee for inspection of submitted sample was reduced from $50.07 to $45.78 per sample and the service standard was updated. The fees for inspection of submitted sample - certified container sampling program and inspection of submitted sample - accredited container sampler program were eliminated.
Fee category Third-party authorization
Fee-setting authority
Year introduced 2013
Year last amended 2013
Service standard
  1. A decision will be made with respect to the authorization of a service provider within 10 business days of receiving a complete application form.
  2. The applicant will be notified within one business day of authorization being given.
  3. The Canadian Grain Commission’s website is updated within three days of the effective date of the change on the status of an authorized service provider.
Performance results 83.3 percent
Other information During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission commenced a review of its fee structure to ensure that fees accurately reflect the costs of providing services and reflect updated grain volume projections. This was part of a five-year fee review cycle to keep fees in line with the costs of providing services. Consultations with stakeholders took place from March 1 to May 1, 2017. Proposed fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 16, 2017 and final fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on March 21, 2018. Effective April 1, 2018, the fee for third-party authorization for inspection or weighing was reduced from $150.21 to $137.35 per application and the service standard was updated.
Financial information (dollars)
2016 to 17 Revenue 2017 to 18 Revenue 2017 to 18 CostFootnote 1 2017 to 18 RemissionsFootnote 2
137,704 42,734 2,559,207 Not applicable

Note

Table includes financial information for Reinspection of grain, Inspection of submitted samples, and Third-party authorization fee categories.

Fee category Outward official weighing
Fee-setting authority
Year introduced 1912
Year last amended 2017
Service standard
  1. Official official weighing – ships
    1. Applicable documents for final outward weighing will be issued within two business days after all of the following have been met:
      1. completion of weighing;
      2. reporting of weights and documentation to the Canadian Grain Commission;
      3. receipt of final documentation request from the shipper/exporter; and
      4. completion of all required analytical testing results.
  2. Outward official weighing – railway cars, trucks, containers
    1. Applicable documents for final outward weighing will be issued within two business days after all of the following have been met:
      1. completion of loading;
      2. reporting of weights and documentation to the Canadian Grain Commission;
      3. receipt of final documentation request from the shipper/exporter; and
      4. completion of all required analytical testing results.
Performance results
  1. Official weighing – ships: 99.9 percent
  2. Official weighing – railway cars, trucks, containers: service was not requested
Other information During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission commenced a review of its fee structure to ensure that fees accurately reflect the costs of providing services and reflect updated grain volume projections. Consultations with stakeholders took place from March 1 to May 1, 2017. Subsequently, the Canadian Grain Commission reduced official weighing fees 8 months before the end of the five-year fee review cycle. Proposed fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on April 22, 2017 and final fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on July 12, 2017. Effective August 1, 2017, the fee for official weighing of grain discharged to ships was reduced from $0.16 to $0.07 per tonne. The fee for official weighing of railway cars, trucks or containers was reduced from $14.78 to $6.67 per railway car, truck or container and the service standard was updated.
Financial information (dollars)
2016 to 17 Revenue 2017 to 18 Revenue 2017 to 18 CostFootnote 1 2017 to 18 RemissionsFootnote 2
6,148,268 4,183,631 2,000,776 Not applicable
Fee category Licencing
Fee-setting authority
Year introduced 1912
Year last amended 2013
Service standard
  1. Full-term licence
    1. Licensees will be sent licence renewal packages three months prior to the annual licence renewal date.
    2. After the renewal deadline and prior to the renewal date, a decision will be made with respect to the issuance of a licence.
    3. The licensee will be notified within one business day of the licence being issued.
    4. The licence will be sent to the licensee within five business days from the effective date of the licence.
    5. The Canadian Grain Commission’s website will be updated within three business days of the effective date of a change in the status of a licence.
    6. Licensee inquiries will receive a response within one business day.
    7. Publication of grain elevator, grain handling, and elevator charge reports.
  2. Short-term licence
    1. Licensees will be sent a short-term licence notification within five business days from the effective day of the licence.
    2. After the renewal deadline and prior to the renewal date, a decision will be made with respect to the issuance of a licence.
    3. The licensee will be notified within one business day of the licence being issued.
    4. The licence will be sent to the licensee within five business days from the effective date of the licence.
    5. The Canadian Grain Commission’s website will be updated within three business days of the effective date of a change in the status of a licence.
    6. Licensee inquiries will receive a response within one business day.
    7. Publication of grain elevator, grain handling, and elevator charge reports.
Performance results
  1. Full-term licence: 99.5 percent
  2. Short-term licence: 100 percent
Other information During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission commenced a review of its fee structure to ensure that fees accurately reflect the costs of providing services and reflect updated grain volume projections. This was part of a five-year fee review cycle to keep fees in line with the costs of providing services. Consultations with stakeholders took place from March 1 to May 1, 2017. Proposed fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 16, 2017 and final fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on March 21, 2018. Effective April 1, 2018, the fee for full-term licences was reduced from $294.00 to $275.68 per licence and the service standard was updated. The fee for short-term licences was increased from $376.00 to $381.64 and the service standard was updated.
Financial information (dollars)
2016 to 17 Revenue 2017 to 18 Revenue 2017 to 18 CostFootnote 1 2017 to 18 RemissionsFootnote 2
1,771,219 1,840,330 1,758,510 Not applicable
Fee category Producer railway car application
Fee-setting authority
Year introduced 1912
Year last amended 2013
Service standard Written acknowledgement of the receipt and processing of a complete producer car application will be sent by the end of the next business day.
Performance results 100 percent
Other information During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission commenced a review of its fee structure to ensure that fees accurately reflect the costs of providing services and reflect updated grain volume projections. This was part of a five-year fee review cycle to keep fees in line with the costs of providing services. Consultations with stakeholders took place from March 1 to May 1, 2017. Proposed fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 16, 2017 and final fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on March 21, 2018. Effective April 1, 2018, the fee for producer railway car applications was increased from $28.50 to $29.00 per railway car applied for and the service standard was updated.
Financial information (dollars)
2016–17 Revenue 2017–18 Revenue 2017–18 CostFootnote 1 2017–18 RemissionsFootnote 2
161,644 108,186 223,459 Not applicable
Fee category Optional Inspection and Weighing Services
Fee-setting authority
Year introduced 1930
Year last amended 2013
Service standard
  1. Additional analysis
    1. Documents detailing the results of all inspection support services will be forwarded within two business days after all of the following have been met:
      1. receipt of final documentation request from the shipper/exporter; and
      2. completion of all required analytical testing results.
  2. Optional weighing – railway cars, trucks, containers
    1. Canadian Grain Commission staff weigh grain, as mandated by the Canada Grain Act and as per operational commitments.
    2. Applicable documents for final outward weighing will be issued within two business days after all of the following has been met:
      1. completion of loading;
      2. receipt of final documentation request from the shipper/exporter and;
      3. completion of all required analytical testing results.
  3. Optional inspection – railway cars, trucks, containers
    1. Canadian Grain Commission staff inspect grain, as mandated by the Canada Grain Act and as per operational commitments.
    2. When grain being loaded is other than grade ordered, the Canadian Grain Commission will inform the elevator staff by form 1W-7.
    3. Applicable documents for final outward inspection will be issued within two business days after all of the following have been met:
      1. completion of loading;
      2. receipt of final documentation request from the shipper/exporter; and
      3. completion of all required analytical testing results.
  4. Special services
    1. Canadian Grain Commission staff provide special services as per operational commitments and the Canada Grain Act.
    2. Applicable documents with inspection and/or weighing results will be issued within two business days after all of the following have been met:
      1. completion of the special service;
      2. receipt of final documentation request from the sipper/exporter; and
      3. completion of all required analytical testing results.
Performance results
  1. Additional analysis: 98.7 percent
  2. Optional weighing – railway cars, trucks, containers: service not requested during the reporting period.
  3. Optional inspection – railway cars, trucks, containers: service not requested during the reporting period.
  4. Special services: 100 percent
Other information During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission commenced a review of its fee structure to ensure that fees accurately reflect the costs of providing services and reflect updated grain volume projections. This was part of a five-year fee review cycle to keep fees in line with the costs of providing services. Consultations with stakeholders took place from March 1 to May 31, 2017. Proposed fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 16, 2017 and final fee changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on March 21, 2018. Effective April 1, 2018, the fee for additional analysis was eliminated. The fee for optional weighing of railway cars, trucks, or containers was reduced from $14.78 to $6.67 per inspection and the service standard was updated. The fee for special services was reduced from $150.21 to $137.35 per hour per employee and the service standard was updated.
Financial information (dollars)
2016 to 17 Revenue 2017 to 18 Revenue 2017 to 18 CostFootnote 1 2017 to 18 RemissionsFootnote 2
1,667,670 1,571,441 6,091,762 Not applicable
Fee category Fees for processing requests filed under the Access to Information Act
Fee-setting authority
Year introduced 1983
Year last amended 2018
Service standard A response is provided within 30 days following the receipt of a request; the response time may be extended under section 9 of the Access to Information Act.
Performance results The Canadian Grain Commission did not receive requests under the Access to Information Act in 2017-18.
Other information Under the Access to Information Act, fees under $25 may be waived when deemed to be in the public interest. Fees waived during 2017-18 totalled $0.
Financial information (dollars)
2016 to 17 Revenue 2017 to 18 Revenue 2017 to 18 CostFootnote 1 2017 to 18 RemissionsFootnote 2
5 0 0 Not applicable
Financial totals for all fee categories
Total revenues, cost and remissions (dollars)
2016 to 17 Total revenueFootnote 3 2017 to 18 Total revenueFootnote 3 2017 to 18 Total cost 2017 to 18 Total remissions
79,454,806 68,956,868 65,993,325 Not applicable

Note

The totals are the sums of the revenues, costs and remissions reported for all fee categories in the “Financial information” tables.

Fees under the department’s authority

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