User Fees and Regulatory Charges (User Fees Act)

User Fee: Explosives licence and inspection fees

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-Setting Authority: Explosives Act, Section 5 and PART III.1 (Section 31) of the Explosives Regulations

Year Last Modified: 2009

Performance Standards: 95% of the time, initial factory applications will be completed within 60 days of receipt of completed documentation; renewals and all other authorizations will be processed within 30 days of a complete request.

Performance Results: Licensing turnaround times have been acceptable to stakeholders. Results indicate the performance standards were met or exceeded 95% of the time.

2012–13 ($ thousands)			Planning Years ($ thousands)
Forecast Revenue	Actual Revenue	Full Cost	Fiscal Year	Forecast Revenue	Estimated Full Cost
1,800	1,744	5,076	2013–14	1,800	5,178
			2014–15	1,800	5,282
			2015–16	1,800	5,383

User Fee: Map products

Fee Type: Other Products and Services

Fee-Setting Authority: Resources and Technical Surveys Act, section 8(2) Recovery of expenditures; Canada Land Surveys Act, section 4(2) Tariff of Fees

Year Last Modified: 2004

Performance Standards: National Topographic System and Atlas of Canada maps – NRCan sells maps on a wholesale basis from the Canada Map Office to a limited distribution network, and service standards reflect this. Response time for information requests is two working days. Order processing time: the Canada Map Office will strive to fill orders received from the Regional Distribution Centres within five working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in the province of Ontario), upon approved credit and provided that the account is in good standing. Hours of operation: 08:00 - 16:00 EST.

Performance Results: The service standard of five working days is met 95% of the time. The Centre for Topographic Information of the Mapping Services Branch is certified ISO 9001:2000, hence it undergoes a regular management review of quality objectives, discrepancy reporting processes, and client consultation. Performance issues are addressed through Quality Objectives, which are updated each year to address issues that may arise.

Aggregate annual data are available on request.

2012-13 ($ )			Planning Years ($ )
Forecast Revenue	Actual Revenue	Full Cost	Fiscal Year	Forecast Revenue	Estimated Full Cost
80	43	43	2013-14	75	75
			2014-15	70	70
			2015-16	60	60

User Fee: ISO non-destructive testing

Fee Type: Other Products and Services

Fee-Setting Authority: Resources and Technical Surveys Act, Recovery of expenditures

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister may…

(b) make recoverable expenditures on behalf of any other department, branch or agency of the Government of Canada or a province or any university, organization or person in respect of its share of the cost of any logistics support or related assistance.

Article 7(2) b: (b) enter into agreements with any person or body, including the government of any province or any department, branch or agency of such a government, respecting the carrying out of those plans;

Year Last Modified: 2002

Performance Standards: Two weeks for processing of a candidate's application form. This period is advertised on application forms 'Instructions for Candidates', available in hard copy or electronically from the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Web site. All candidates have this information before applying. Note: Assessment of foreign applications or unusual training/experience situations may require more time.

Examination results are usually available three weeks from the date of receipt of the examination package. This period is clearly specified in the 'letter of approval' issued to the candidate to permit him/her to challenge an examination.

Performance Results: The progress of each client application is recorded and tracked throughout the process: date of receipt, date of review, date of written responses. While performance has not been formally aggregated to summarize performance against service standards, the absence of major or continual stakeholder complaints indicates satisfaction that the published delivery standards are consistently being met.

2012-13 ($ )			Planning Years ($ )
Forecast Revenue	Actual Revenue	Full Cost	Fiscal Year	Forecast Revenue	Estimated Full Cost
1,200	1,463	1,857	2013-14	1,200	1,800
			2014-15	1,200	1,650
			2015-16	1,300	1,650

User Fee: Air Photo Products

Fee Type: Other Products and Services

Fee-Setting Authority: Resources and Technical Surveys Act, section 8(2) Recovery of expenditures

Year Last Modified: 2004

Performance Standards: Aerial Photography - Order processing time by the National Air Photo Library is ten working days, priority service five working days; response time for information requests of ten working days 80% of the time; production error rate of 2% or less; hours of operation, 08:30 - 16:30 EST.

Performance Results: The service standard is met 80% of the time. Performance issues are addressed through ISO Quality Objectives which are updated each year to address issues that arise. Performance results are monitored continuously. Aggregate annual data is available on request.

2012-13 ($ )			Planning Years ($ )
Forecast Revenue	Actual Revenue	Full Cost	Fiscal Year	Forecast Revenue	Estimated Full Cost
400	487	487	2013-14	450	450
			2014-15	450	450
			2015-16	450	450

User Fee: Fees charged for the processing of access requests filed under the Access to Information Act

Fee Type: Regulatory

Fee-Setting Authority: Access to Information Act, section 11

Year Last Modified: 1992

Performance Standards: Response provided within 30 days following receipt of request; the response time may be extended pursuant to section 9 of the Access to Information Act. In these cases, the notice of extension is to be sent within 30 days after the receipt of the request.

The Access to Information Act provides further details: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/A%2D1/.

Performance Results: Met prescribed legislative standards 96.5% of the time.

2012-13 ($ )			Planning Years ($ )
Forecast Revenue	Actual Revenue	Full Cost	Fiscal Year	Forecast Revenue	Estimated Full Cost
14	13	11,695	2013-14	4	1,368
			2014-15	4	1,368
			2015-16	5	1,368

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 2012-13 represented $965.

User Fee: Other Products of the Earth Sciences Sector

Fee Type: Other Products and Services

Fee-Setting Authority: Resources and Technical Surveys Act, section 8(2) Recovery of expenditures

Year Last Modified: 2004

Performance Standards: For aeromagnetic, radiometric and gravity data, the Geoscience Data Centre (GDC) of the Earth Sciences Sector (ESS) provides a maximum 10 day turnaround on external requests for data (average turnaround for a standard request is 1 day). NRCan also provides on-line access through the Geoscience Data Repository for Geophysical and Geochemical Data (GDRGG). For more information on service standards, see the Web site.

Performance Results: Performance is aggregated against standards annually. 100% of requests are in compliance with standards.

The number of inquiries has dropped significantly since data have been made available free of charge through the GDRGG. Typically 10 to 20 requests for information are made to the GDC annually, and 10,000 to 15,000 downloads from the online service occur annually. The GDRGG is available 24/7, 365 days per year. No agreements are currently in place for the fiscal year 2015-16 therefore the forecasted revenue and cost remain zero.

2012-13 ($ )			Planning Years ($ )
Forecast Revenue	Actual Revenue	Full Cost	Fiscal Year	Forecast Revenue	Estimated Full Cost
14	54	54	2013-14	14	14
			2014-15	14	14
			2015-16	0	0

User Fees Totals

	2012-13 ($ )			Planning Years ($ )
	Forecast Revenue	Actual Revenue	Full Cost	Fiscal Year	Forecast Revenue	Estimated Full Cost
Subtotal Regulatory	1,804	1,747	6,771	2013-14	1,804	6,546
				2014-15	1,804	6,650
				2015-16	1,804	6,751
Subtotal Other Products and Services	1,694	2,047	2,441	2013-14	1,739	2,339
				2014-15	1,734	2,184
				2015-16	1,810	2,160
Total	3,498	3,794	9,212	2013-14	3,543	8,885
				2014-15	3,538	8,834
				2015-16	3,614	8,911

EXTERNAL FEES (Policy on Service Standards for External Fees)

External Fee	Service Standard	Performance Results	Stakeholder Consultation
Explosives licence and inspection fees	95% of the time, initial factory applications will be completed within 60 days of receipt of completed documentation; renewals and all other authorizations will be processed within 30 days of a complete request.	Licensing turnaround times have been acceptable to stakeholders. Results indicate the performance standards were met or exceeded 95% of the time.	Stakeholder groups are in agreement with licensing and authorization service standards. No formal complaints to this proposal have been received.
Map products	National Topographic System and Atlas of Canada maps – NRCan sells maps on a wholesale basis from the Canada Map Office to a limited distribution network, and service standards reflect this. Response time for information requests is two working days. Order processing time: The Canada Map Office will strive to fill orders received from the Regional Distribution Centres within five working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in the province of Ontario), upon approved credit and provided account is in good standing. Hours of operation: 08:30 - 16:30 EST.	Service standard of five working days is met 95% of the time. Service standards are included in the annual management review of Quality Objectives under ISO 9001:2000. ISO Quality Objectives are updated each year to address issues as they arise.	Regular discussions and meetings are held with stakeholders. Service standards are reviewed continuously and included as part of the Discrepancy Management Reports. Ongoing client and service feedback is used to ensure constant improvement as part of ISO 9001 quality system.
ISO non-destructive testing	Two weeks for processing of a candidate's application form. This period is advertised on application forms 'Instructions for Candidates', available in hard copy or electronically from the Non-Destructive Testing website. All candidates have this information before applying. Note: Assessment of foreign applications or unusual training/experience situations may require more time. Examination results are usually available three weeks from the date or receipt of the examination package. This period is clearly specified in the 'letter of approval' issued to the candidate to permit him/her to challenge an examination.	The progress of each client application is recorded and tracked throughout the process: date of receipt, date of review, date of written responses. While performance has not been formally aggregated to summarize performance against service standards, the absence of major or continual stakeholder complaints indicates satisfaction that the published delivery standards are consistently being met.	Fee adjustments are presented and negotiated with the 12-member advisory body of stakeholders. Previously the agreed price structure associated with fees for required services and reports was put into effect and not changed for 3 years. The stakeholders like the stability in knowing what they will be paying for the next 3 years. The revised plan is to move to annual fee adjustments based on actual costs. From January through June 2006, extensive consultations on exam fees were held with 8 exam centres, the advisory board, and the union representing 2,000 clients. The objective of these consultations was to isolate cost drivers to derive a formula-driven fee structure. This previously outlined objective is not yet completed and is pending. Of note, the National Destructive Testing Certifying Agency, along with the CanmetMATERIALS Laboratory, was relocated from Ottawa to Hamilton in late 2010. The Agency is working diligently to establish stable resources and capabilities to properly execute a smooth and seamless transition, while focusing on improving the overall level of customer service and effective cost management. The Agency had hosted two meetings (Canadian General Standards Board Committee and CanmetMATERIALS Non-Destructive Testing Advisory Board) with external stakeholders, where consultations were held on various aspects of the certification services that the Agency provides.
Air Photo products	Aerial Photography – Order processing time by the National Air Photo Library is 10 working days, and priority service is 5 working days; response time for information requests of 10 working days 80% of the time; production error rate of 2% or less; hours of operation: 08:30 - 16:30 EST.	Service standard of 10 working days is met 80% of the time. Service standards are included in annual management review of Quality Objectives under ISO 9001:2000. ISO Quality Objectives are updated each year to address issues as they arise.	A major survey was completed in 2004. The Department initiated a needs requirement analysis based on sales statistics to determine future directions for improvement. Service standards are reviewed continuously and included as part of the Discrepancy Management Reports. Ongoing client and service feedback is used to ensure constant improvement as part of the ISO 9001 quality system.
Other products of the Earth Sciences Sector	For aeromagnetic radiometric and gravity data, the Geoscience Data Centre of the Earth Sciences Sector (ESS) provides maximum 10-day turnaround on external requests for data (average turnaround for a standard request is 1 day). The Department also provides on-line access through the Geoscience Data Repository for Geophysical and Geochemical Data (GDRGG). For more information on service standards, see the Web site.	Performance is aggregated against standards annually. 100% of requests were in compliance with standards. The number of inquires to the Geophysical Data Centre has dropped significantly since data have been made available free of charge through the GDRGG. Typically, 10 to 20 requests for information are made to the Geoscience Data Centre annually, and 10,000 to 15,000 downloads are made from the on-line service annually. The GDRGG is available 24/7, 365 days a year.	Client consultation is performed on an ongoing basis. All web-based clients are provided with a client satisfaction questionnaire, including a request for suggestions for improvement. The advent of the GDRGG (web-based access) has significantly reduced requests via the Geoscience Data Centre.