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Global Affairs Canada Fees Report - Fiscal year 2019 to 2020
Table of contents
Ministers’ message
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
On behalf of Global Affairs Canada, we are pleased to present our report on fees for 2019–20.
The Service Fees ActFootnote i provides a modern legislative framework that enables cost-effective delivery of services and, through better reporting to Parliament, improves transparency and oversight.
As a result of improvements to the service standards for the Consular Service Fee and the Specialized Consular Service Fees this will be the first year where performance results are reported against those new service standards. The department has also made important progress in the review of service fees falling under the department’s authority and further work is planned in this regard.
We will continue to lead our department’s transition to the reporting regime provided under the Service Fees Act.
About this report
This report, which is tabled under section 20 of the Service Fees Act and section 4.2.8 of the Directive on Charging and Special Financial AuthoritiesFootnote ii, contains information about the fees that Global Affairs Canada had the authority to set in 2019–20.
Government of Canada departments may set fees for services, licences, permits, products, the use of facilities; for other authorizations of rights or privileges; or to recover, in whole or in part, costs incurred in relation to a regulatory scheme.
For reporting purposes, fees must be categorized under the following three fee setting mechanisms:
- Act, regulation or fees notice
- An act of Parliament delegates the fee setting authority to a department, minister or Governor in Council.
- Contract
- Ministers have the authority to enter into contracts, which are usually negotiated between the minister and an individual or organization, and which cover fees and other terms and conditions. In some cases, that authority may also be provided by an act of Parliament.
- Market-rate or auction or both
- The authority to set these fees is pursuant to an act of Parliament or regulation, and the minister, department or Governor in Council has no control over the fee amount.
This report contains information about all fees that are under Global Affairs Canada’s authority, including any that are collected by another department.
The information covers fees that are subject to the Service Fees Act.
For fees set by contract, fees set by market-rate, auction or both, the report provides totals only. For fees set by act, regulation or fees notice, it provides totals for fee groupings, as well as detailed information for each fee.
Although the fees that Global Affairs Canada charges under the Access to Information ActFootnote iii are subject to the Service Fees Act, they are not included in this report. Information on Global Affairs Canada’s access to information fees for 2019–20 can be found in our access to information report, which is posted on the Global Affairs Canada website.
Remissions
A remission is a partial or full return of a fee to a fee payer who paid for a service for which a department deemed that the service standard was not met.
Under the Service Fees Act, departments must develop policies for determining whether a service standard has been met and for determining how much of a fee will be remitted to a fee payer if a service standard is not met. This requirement will not take effect until April 1, 2021, so this report does not include remissions issued under the Service Fees Act. The report also does not include other remissions.
Overall totals, by fee setting mechanism
The following table presents the total revenue, cost and remissions for all fees that Global Affairs Canada had the authority to set in 2019–20, by fee setting mechanism.
| Fee setting mechanism | Revenue ($) | Cost ($) | Remissions ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees set by contract | 35,217,371 | 35,217,371 | 0 |
| Fees set by market-rate, auction or both | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fees set by act, regulation or fees notice | 41,893,681 | 168,805,379 | 0 |
| Total | 77,111,052 | 204,022,750 | 0 |
Totals, by fee grouping, for fees set by act, regulation or fees notice
The following tables present, for each fee grouping, the total revenue, cost and remissions for all fees that Global Affairs Canada had the authority to set in 2019–20 that are set by any of the following:
- act
- regulation
- fees notice
A fee grouping is a grouping of all the fees that a department has the authority to set for activities relating to a single business line, directorate or program.
| Fee grouping - Revenue ($) | Cost ($) | Remissions ($) |
|---|---|---|
| 37,016,882 | 157,107,329 | 0 |
| Fee grouping - Revenue ($) | Cost ($) | Remissions ($) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,948,902 | 4,048,218 | 0 |
| Fee grouping - Revenue ($) | Cost ($) | Remissions ($) |
|---|---|---|
| 2,927,897 | 7,649,832 | 0 |
Details on each fee set by act, regulation or fees notice
This section provides detailed information on each fee that Global Affairs Canada had the authority to set in 2019–20 and that was set by any of the following:
- act
- regulation
- fees notice
Export/Import Permit Fees
| Fee grouping | Export/Import Permit Fees - Other Products and Services |
|---|---|
| Fee |
|
| Fee-setting authority | |
| Year fee-setting authority was introduced | 1995 |
| Last year fee‑setting authority was amended | 2013 |
| Service standard | Deliver non-strategic, non-routed import and export permits within 15 minutes of the time of application; process within four business hours permit applications that are automatically redirected (routed) to departmental officers or that have been flagged for an officer's review by the applicant when no additional information or documentation is required; process within three business days permit applications for B.C. logs that are automatically redirected (routed) to departmental officers; process within five business days permit applications for firearms that are automatically redirected (routed) to departmental officers; process applications for permits to export controlled military and strategic goods and technology from eligible exporters who have provided all required supporting documentation within 10 working days where consultation outside the bureau is not required and within 40 business days where consultation is required. |
| Performance result | The service standards were met 98.6% of the time. |
| Application of Low-Materiality Fees Regulations | Low-materiality (<$51) |
| Fee | 2019–20 fee amount ($) | 2019–20 total fee revenue ($) | Fee adjustment date | Adjusted fee amount in 2021–22 ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1) Export permit or certificate issued by the Trade Controls Bureau of Global Affairs Canada | 14 | 19,586 | Not Applicable | 14 |
2) Export permit or certificate delivered by a customs broker's office that is authorized by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to make such delivery. The $9 fee does not include any fees for services incidental to the delivery of the permit or certificate. | 9 | 2,067,507 | Not Applicable | 9 |
3) Where the import permit is delivered by a person who is not employed in the public service of Canada but who is authorized by the Minister to make the delivery, the fee varies depending on the total value of the goods in respect of which the import permit is issued. |
| 821,254 | Not Applicable |
|
4) Where the import permit is delivered by the department’s Trade Controls Bureau, the fee varies depending on the total value of the goods in respect of which the import permit is issued. |
| 19,550 | Not Applicable |
|
Specialized Consular Service Fees
| Fee grouping | Specialized Consular Service Fees |
|---|---|
| Fee |
|
| Fee-setting authority | Consular Fees (Specialized Services) RegulationsFootnote vi, pursuant to paragraph 19 (1) (a) of the Financial Administration ActFootnote vii |
| Year fee-setting authority was introduced | 1988 |
| Last year fee‑setting authority was amended | 2010 |
| Service standard | The service standards have been reviewed and new standards took effect on April 1, 2019. All services requiring the payment of a fee have been grouped under the specialized consular services category (mainly notarial services and transfer of private funds through departmental facilities). As specialized services are not available at all locations, clients are invited to consult Ask Travel to confirm if the desired service is available. Notarial services are provided by consular officials only when no local alternatives are available and adequate consular resources are available. The service standards are available online at Consular Services: Service Standards and written copies are posted in public view at our offices overseas and can be requested from consular employees Clients are invited to comment if they did not receive the level of service they expected or if they wish to make suggestions. |
| Performance result | Percentage of services that met the established service standards.* Performance target established at 90%
|
| Application of Low-Materiality Fees Regulations | Low-materiality (Schedule 1) |
| Fee | 2019–20 fee amount ($) | 2019–20 total fee revenue ($) | Fee adjustment date | Adjusted fee amount in 2021–22 ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1) Administering an oath, receiving an affidavit, declaration or affirmation or attesting any document bearing a signature | 50 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 50 per document |
2) Attesting the execution of a document, other than a certificate of origin or a document in support of a consignment of goods | 50 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 50 per document |
3) Authenticating the signature and seal of a foreign authority, including an officially authorized translator | 50 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 50 per document |
4) Obtaining a legalization or other certification from a foreign authority in respect of any document (in addition to costs charged by the foreign authority, if any) | 50 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 50 per document |
5) Executing a document or preparing an exhibit or a parcel not otherwise provided for in this schedule | 50 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 50 per document |
6) Initialling alterations in any document not prepared by a consular officer | 25 per page | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 25 per page |
7) Uniting documents and sealing their fastening | 30 | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 30 |
8) Preparing in English or French any certificate, affidavit, declaration or other document not otherwise provided for in this schedule, excluding any printed words where printed forms are used (in addition to the fee set out in item 1, 2 or 5, if applicable) | a) 30 per document for less than 200 words | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | a) 30 per document for less than 200 words |
9) Making a copy of a document not otherwise provided for in this schedule | a) 30 per page by word processing, for 100 words or less | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | a) 30 per page by word processing, for 100 words or less |
10) Certifying a copy of a document | 20 per page | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 20 per page |
11) Preparing, signing and sealing a declaration of existence | 30 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 30 per document |
12) Signing and sealing a declaration of existence | 20 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 20 per document |
13) Making an unofficial translation of a document, from one to the other of Canada’s official languages, from a foreign language to English or French, or from English or French to a foreign language | a) 15 for 100 words or less | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | a) 15 for 100 words or less |
14) Issuing a letter addressed to a foreign authority for the granting of a visa, a residence permit, an exit permit or any other similar service | 50 per letter | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 50 per letter |
15) Obtaining a copy of a document in the registers or records of the local authorities | 125 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 125 per document |
16) Distributing the personal effects of a deceased Canadian citizen and administering their estate in full or in part | a) 100 where the total current market value of the personal effects and the estate or part of the estate is CAN500 or more and less than CAN3,000 | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | a) 100 where the total current market value of the personal effects and the estate or part of the estate is CAN500 or more and less than CAN3,000 |
17) Transmitting of documents in private legal matters by formal note to the local authorities, including any necessary certification | 50 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 50 per document |
18) Service of documents in private legal matters performed at the mission, if an affidavit of service is provided | 50 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 50 per document |
19) Service of documents in private legal matters performed where the mission must prepare or provide an affidavit of service | 50 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | 50 per document |
20) Where a Canadian consular officer is authorized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development to be named as a Commissioner by a Canadian court to take testimony from witnesses abroad for use in Canadian court proceedings | a) 150 per person per hour or part of an hour for services of a consular officer acting as a Commissioner, within the consular premises | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level, however is able to track it at the fee grouping level. | Not Applicable | a) 150 per person per hour or part of an hour for services of a consular officer acting as a Commissioner, within the consular premises |
21) Preparing and sending a communication for the primary benefit of non-government persons, organizations and groups | a) 30 per document for less than 200 words | The department had no mechanism for tracking revenue | Not Applicable | a) 30 per document for less than 200 words |
22) Setting up and maintaining a trust account to transfer funds to, or on behalf of, a Canadian citizen in need in a foreign country | 70 per account, per year or part of a year | The department had no mechanism for tracking revenue | Not Applicable | 70 per account, per year or part of a year |
23) Arranging for and effecting the transfer of private or public funds from Canada or elsewhere to the mission | 75 per transfer | The department had no mechanism for tracking revenue | Not Applicable | 75 per transfer |
Consular Service Fee
| Fee grouping | Consular Service Fee |
|---|---|
| Fee | Consular Service Fee |
| Fee-setting authority | Consular Service Fees RegulationsFootnote viii pursuant to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development ActFootnote ix |
| Year fee-setting authority was introduced | 1995 |
| Last year fee‑setting authority was amended | 2010 |
| Service standard | The service standards have been reviewed and new standards took effect on April 1, 2019. Service Standards set out what to expect from consular services. Every effort is made to adhere to these standards, which apply to services delivered under normal circumstances. Global Affairs Canada is committed to maintaining a global consular infrastructure to provide consular services and be accessible to Canadians 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at approximately 260 points of service around the world. The Emergency Watch and Response Centre is located in Ottawa. Consular services provided to Canadians are detailed in the Canadian Consular Services Charter and assessed based on written service standards (updated as of April 1st 2019) with qualitative and quantitative indicators. The service standards are available online at Consular Services: Service Standards and written copies are posted in public view at our offices overseas and can be requested from consular employees. Clients are invited to comment if they did not receive the level of service they expected or if they wish to make suggestions. Consular services are grouped under the following service standards categories:
Global Affairs Canada considers all consular clients important and aims to deliver consular services in a consistent, fair and non-discriminatory manner. Each consular case has unique facts and circumstances, however, so a tailored approach to intervention is required. The intensity and duration of our involvement vary with the type and complexity of the consular case. Even where situations appear similar, different outcomes may result. When consular services are requested abroad, consular officials will assess the situation and inform the client as to how and when they can provide assistance or whether another organization is better placed to help. In emergency circumstances, every effort will be made to provide assistance. However, there are limits to the assistance consular officials can provide. The Government of Canada’s ability and success in resolving consular cases are constrained, in many instances, by the laws and regulations of other countries as well as by the quality of service and level of cooperation offered by persons and organizations outside the Government of Canada. For further details, please refer to the Canadian Consular Services Charter. Service standards will be reviewed at least every five years. |
| Performance result | Percentage of consular cases actioned within 24 hours of being reported to consular officials.* 2019-20 Performance results are based on the updated indicator: Percentage of consular cases actioned within the established service standards.* Performance target established at 90%.
* The original indicator was updated to align with the revised consular service standards that were implemented on April 1, 2019. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic that impacted regular operations and service delivery at missions abroad beginning in early 2020, performance results for 2019-20 are limited to the April 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020 reporting period. |
| Application of Low-Materiality Fees Regulations | Low-materiality (<$51) |
| Fee | 2019–20 fee amount ($) | 2019–20 total fee revenue ($) | Fee adjustment date | Adjusted fee amount in 2021–22 ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Consular Service Fee | 25 | 37,016,882 | Not Applicable | 25 |
