Regulation - LGIC
Amendment to O. Reg. 664/98 under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 664/98
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
Summary of Decision:
A decision was made to amend Ontario Regulation 664/98 under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 to temporarily suspend commercial fish royalty payments charged to licensed commercial fishers for fish landed in the calendar year 2020 and return to pre-existing royalty rates (5%) effective January 1, 2021. This regulation was filed by the Registrar of Regulations on October 23, 2020.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The regulatory amendment is expected to have no impact on the majority of Ontarians and is not anticipated to result in costs (i.e., administrative, compliance, operating) to licence holders, stakeholders, or businesses.
The ministry typically collects approximately $2M per year in commercial fish royalties. It is expected that total revenue for 2020 will only be up to $1M, a decrease of approximately $1M from a typical year, due to impacts on commercial fishing operations and lower harvest levels. Suspending the payment of royalties will result in zero government revenue from commercial fish royalties for the 2020 year.
Suspending the payment of royalty fees for 2020 will have a net positive impact to those commercial fish licence holders, boat captains, and crews that harvest fish during the period in which the suspension applies. Amending the regulation is the only method available to suspend royalty payments.
The ministry typically collects approximately $2M per year in commercial fish royalties. It is expected that total revenue for 2020 will only be up to $1M, a decrease of approximately $1M from a typical year, due to impacts on commercial fishing operations and lower harvest levels. Suspending the payment of royalties will result in zero government revenue from commercial fish royalties for the 2020 year.
Suspending the payment of royalty fees for 2020 will have a net positive impact to those commercial fish licence holders, boat captains, and crews that harvest fish during the period in which the suspension applies. Amending the regulation is the only method available to suspend royalty payments.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
20-MNRF011
Posting Date:
Summary of Proposal:
To support the province's economic recovery from COVID-19, the ministry is proposing to amend O. Reg. 664/98 to suspend commercial fishing royalties for the 2020 calendar year.
Contact Address:
Richard Drouin
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Fish and Wildlife Services Branch
300 Water St
Peterborough, ON
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Fish and Wildlife Services Branch
300 Water St
Peterborough, ON
Effective Date:
October 23, 2020
Decision:
Approved