Certain fees and charges paid by Saskatchewan residents and businesses will change in 2018-19 to better reflect the cost of related provincial services. The changes will add about $17.7 million to the General Revenue Fund (GRF) in 2018-19, and about $784,000 in revenue to non-GRF agencies and funds (Water Security Agency, Commercial Revolving Fund, and Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority). The attached summary lists the changes and provides contact information for each ministry or agency:
The following changes will take effect April 1, 2018:
- Oil and gas submission penalties A new penalty structure for oil and gas companies that fail to provide complete data within the Integrated Resource Information System (IRIS): $100 a day per well/wellbore data item for each late or deficient filing or submission; and $1,000 a month for each filing that is not submitted by the required date. This is expected to bring in $431,000 in additional revenue for the government of Saskatchewan. This will impact oil and gas companies not compliant with IRIS filing requirements.
- Environmental handling charges Environmental handling charges on all beverage containers will increase by 2 cents. The new charges by container type will be as follows: Tetra 5 cents, Aluminum cans 7 cents, Plastic jugs/bottles 8 cents, Glass 9 cents. This is expected to bring in $10.2 Million in additional revenue for the government of Saskatchewan. This will only effect people who buy refundable beverage containers in Saskatchewan.
- Fines for consumer protection offences Enhance voluntary payment fine options for offences under The Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act, which affects mainly motor dealers. This will only impact motor dealers who contravene the legislation.
- Cottage land lease fees Average fee increases of $98 (12 percent) over four years. The distribution of revenue associated with a 12 percent increase over 4 years is subject to change due to the ongoing land assessment appeal process. This change is expected to generate $170,000 in additional revenue for the government of Saskatchewan. This will impact 2,149 cottage land lessees within the province of Saskatchewan.
The following changes will take effect April 1, 2018:
- Irrigation water operation and maintenance fees The current federal irrigation charge of $5 per acre will be applied to irrigators who draw water from reservoirs and canals that were recently transferred to the province by the federal government. These changes will create $250,000 in revenue for the government of Saskatchewan. This change will only effect Irrigators who previously paid fees to the federal government.
- Permit fee increases including fees for water rights, drainage approvals, approval of works, groundwater investigation permits, and drilling rig registrations. This change will generate $303,500 to the government and will only impact WSA clients.
The following changes will take effect May 1, 2018:
- The base amount on all speeding tickets will increase by $30 and the fine per kilometer traveled in excess of the speed limit will double. This will generate $6.4 Million in revenue for the government of Saskatchewan.
- The charge for late payment of all traffic related fines prescribed under The Summary Offences Act, 1990 will increase from $50 to $60. This is anticipated to generate $294,500 in additional revenue and will only effect people who utilize provincial court services.
The following changes will take effect July 1, 2018 or January 1, 2019:
- The fee for filing a registered pension plan application will increase from $7 to $10 for each active member and from $3.50 to $5 for each inactive or retired member. The minimum fee for filing a registered pension plan application will increase from $150 to $300 and the maximum fee will increase from $15,000 to $30,000. • A new fee of $300 will apply for filing an amendment or actuarial valuation report. Effective January 1, 2019, the fee for filing an annual information return will increase from $7 to $10 for each active member and from $3.50 to $5 for each inactive or retired member. The minimum fee for filing an annual information return will increase from $150 to $300 and the maximum fee will increase from $15,000 to $30,000. This change will create $60,000 in revenue in 2018-19 for the government of Saskatchewan. There will be a small client impact in 2018-19. However, in 2019-20, once all registered pension plans file their annual information return, 521 pension plans will experience annual fee increases.
The following changes will take effect September 1, 2018:
- The building official license fee will increase from $75 to $200 for a five-year license, and from $25 to $50 for a one-year license. This will only bring in $1,100 for the government in 2018-19. It will only impact about 46 building officials holding five-year licenses and 30 officials holding one-year licenses.
Source: http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2018/march/23/fee-changes
