Global Affairs Canada Fees Report - Fiscal year 2023–2024
ISSN 2562-3796
Table of contents
- Ministers' message
- About this report
- Remissions
- Overall totals, by fee-setting mechanism
- Totals, by fee grouping, for fees set by act, regulation or fees notice
- Details on each fee set by act, regulation or fees notice
Ministers message
On behalf of Global Affairs Canada, we are pleased to present our report on fees for 2023–24.
We welcome the increased transparency and oversight of the Service Fees Act, which enables cost-effective delivery of services and enhanced reporting to Parliament.
Global Affairs Canada continues to regularly assess its programming, particularly the Consular Service Fee, to determine appropriate fees for service. The department also reviews and consults on its performance standards to ensure ongoing financial sustainability and service excellence.
We welcome the opportunity to report on the fees set by Global Affairs Canada in this annual Fees Report.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
About this report
This report, which is tabled under section 20 of the Service Fees ActFootnote i, the Low‑Materiality Fees RegulationsFootnote ii, and subsection 4.2.9 of the Treasury Board Directive on Charging and Special Financial AuthoritiesFootnote iii, contains information about the fees Global Affairs Canada had the authority to charge in fiscal year 2023–24.
The report covers fees that are subject to the Service Fees Act.
For reporting purposes, fees are categorized by fee-setting mechanism. There are three mechanisms:
- Act, regulation or fees notice
- The authority to set these fees is delegated to a department, minister or Governor in Council pursuant to an act of Parliament.
- Contract
- Ministers have the inherent 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
- The authority to set these fees comes from an act of Parliament or a regulation, and the minister, department or Governor in Council has no control in determining the fee amount.
For fees set by act, regulation or fees notice, the report provides totals for fee groupings, as well as detailed information for each fee. For fees set by contract, the report provides totals only.
Fees charged by Global Affairs Canada under the Access to Information Act are not subject to the Service Fees Act and are not included in this report. Information on Global Affairs Canada’s access to information fees can be found in our annual report to Parliament on the administration of the Access to Information Act which is posted on the Global Affairs Canada web pageFootnote iv.
Remissions
In 2023–24, Global Affairs Canada was not subject to the requirements in section 7 of the Service Fees Act and had no authority to remit, so this report does not include remission amounts.
Overall totals, by fee-setting mechanism
The following table presents the total revenue, cost and remissions for all fees Global Affairs Canada had the authority to charge in 2023–24, by fee-setting mechanism.
Overall totals for 2023–24, by fee-setting mechanism
| Fee-setting mechanism | Revenue ($) | Cost ($) | Remissions ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
Fees set by contract | 53,191,843.00 | 53,191,843.00 | Remissions do not apply to fees set by contract. |
Fees set by act, regulation or fees notice | 91,805,443.28 | 164,660,384.00 | These fees were not subject to remissions. |
Total | 144,997,286.28 | 217,852,227.00 | These fees were not subject to remissions. |
Totals, by fee grouping, for fees set by act, regulation or fees notice
A fee grouping is a set of fees relating to a single business line, directorate or program that a department had the authority to charge for those activities.
This section presents, for each fee grouping, the total revenue, cost and remissions for all fees Global Affairs Canada had the authority to charge in 2023–24 that are set by the following:
- act
- regulation
- fees notice
Consular Services Fees: totals for 2023–24
| Revenue ($) | Cost ($) | Remissions ($) |
|---|---|---|
87,539,814.09 | 152,692,109.00 | These fees were not subject to remissions. |
Specialized Consular Services Fees: totals for 2023–24
| Revenue ($) | Cost ($) | Remissions ($) |
|---|---|---|
1,366,474.19 | 2,362,614.00 | These fees were not subject to remissions. |
Export/Import Permit Fees: totals for 2023–24
| Revenue ($) | Cost ($) | Remissions ($) |
|---|---|---|
2,899,155.00 | 9,605,661.00 | These fees were not subject to remissions. |
Details on each fee set by act, regulation or fees notice
This section provides detailed information on each fee Global Affairs Canada had the authority to charge in 2023–24 and that was set by the following:
- act
- regulation
- fees notice
Consular Services Fees
Fee grouping
Consular Services Fees.
Fee
Consular Services Fees.
Fee-setting authority
Consular Services Fees RegulationsFootnote v pursuant to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development ActFootnote vi section 11.
Year fee-setting authority was introduced
1995
Last year fee‑setting authority was amended
2010
Service standard
Consular services are provided to Canadians 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at approximately 260 points of service around the world. Outside regular business hours, calls are forwarded to the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa. Emergency situations are dealt with immediately.
Consular services provided to Canadians are detailed in the Canadian Consular Services CharterFootnote vii and assessed based on written service standards with qualitative and quantitative indicators. The service standards are available online at Consular Services: Service Standards as well as at all missions abroad, where they are either in public view or can be provided by employees.
Consular services are currently grouped under the following service standards categories:
- Consular assistance
- Contact with arrested or detained Canadian citizens abroad
Every effort is made to obtain solutions for specific problems and to provide the required service. However, the department’s ability to do so and its success are conditioned in many instances by the laws and regulations of other countries as well as the quality and level of cooperation offered by persons and organizations outside the Government of Canada.
Current service standards took effect on April 1, 2019.
Performance result
- Consular assistance response time by consular officials (this excludes large scale emergencies): Upon notification, consular officials will provide an initial response within one working day.
- Performance result: 96% (Target: 90%)
- Contacts with arrested or detained Canadian citizens abroad: Upon initial notification of arrest or detention, within one working day consular officials will take steps to initiate contact with the arrested or detained Canadian citizen and offer consular services.
- Performance result: 96% (Target: 90%)
- Performance results for subsequent efforts to contact the detained Canadians (Target: 90%):
- Within one month of detention: 97%
- Within one month of sentencing: 95%
- Within three months after transfer: 95 %
- Annually: 94%
Application of Low-Materiality Fees Regulations
- Low-materiality (<$51): Consular Services Fees
| Fee | 2023–24 fee amount ($) | 2023–24 total fee revenue ($) | 2023–24 total remissions issued for the fee ($) | Fee adjustment date in 2025–26 | 2025–26 fee amount ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Consular Services Fees | 25 | 87,539,814.09 | This fee was not subject to remissions. | Not applicable. | 25 |
Specialized Consular Services Fees
Fee grouping
Specialized Consular Services Fees.
Fee
- Administering an oath, receiving an affidavit, declaration or affirmation or attesting any document bearing a signature
- Attesting the execution of a document, other than a certificate of origin or a document in support of a consignment of goods
- Authenticating the signature and seal of a foreign authority, including an officially authorized translator
- 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)
- Executing a document or preparing an exhibit or a parcel not otherwise provided for in the schedule to Consular Fees (Specialized Services) RegulationsFootnote viii.
- Initialling alterations in any document not prepared by a consular officer
- Uniting documents and sealing their fastening
- Preparing in English or French any certificate, affidavit, declaration or other document not otherwise provided for in the schedule, excluding any printed words where printed forms are used (in addition to the fee set out in item 1, 2 or 5 of the schedule, if applicable)
- Making a copy of a document not otherwise provided for in the schedule
- Certifying a copy of a document
- Preparing, signing and sealing a declaration of existence
- Signing and sealing a declaration of existence
- 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
- 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
- Obtaining a copy of a document in the registers or records of the local authorities
- Distributing the personal effects of a deceased Canadian citizen and administering their estate in full or in part
- Transmitting of documents in private legal matters by formal note to the local authorities, including any necessary certification
- Service of documents in private legal matters performed at the mission, if an affidavit of service is provided
- Service of documents in private legal matters performed where the mission must prepare or provide an affidavit of service
- 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
- Preparing and sending a communication for the primary benefit of non-government persons, organizations and groups
- Setting up and maintaining a trust account to transfer funds to, or on behalf of, a Canadian citizen in need in a foreign country
- Arranging for and effecting the transfer of private or public funds from Canada or elsewhere to the mission
Fee-setting authority
Consular Fees (Specialized Services) RegulationsFootnote ix pursuant to paragraph 19 (1) (a) of the Financial Administration ActFootnote x.
Year fee-setting authority was introduced
1988
Last year fee‑setting authority was amended
2010
Service standard
The complete list of service standards for specialized consular services is available online at Consular Services: Service StandardsFootnote xi and at all Canadian missions abroad. Clients are invited to comment if they did not receive the level of service they expected or if they wish to make suggestions.
Current service standards took effect on April 1, 2019.
Performance result
Percentage of services that met established service standards:
- Private Financial Services: 93% (Target: 90%)
- Notarial Services: 100% (Target: 90%)
Application of Low-Materiality Fees Regulations
- Low-materiality (Schedule 1): Specialized Consular Services Fees
| Fee | 2023–24 fee amount ($) | 2023–24 total fee revenue ($) | 2023–24 total remissions issued for the fee ($) | Fee adjustment date in 2025–26 | 2025–26 fee amount ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | Not Applicable | 50 per document |
5) Executing a document or preparing an exhibit or a parcel not otherwise provided for in the schedule | 50 per document | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level; however, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | Not Applicable | 30 |
8) Preparing in English or French any certificate, affidavit, declaration or other document not otherwise provided for in the 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 b) 60 per document for 200 words or more and less than 500 words c) 80 per document for 500 words or more and less than 1,000 words d) 0.10 per word for 1,000 words or more | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level; however, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | Not Applicable | a) 30 per document for less than 200 words b) 60 per document for 200 words or more and less than 500 words c) 80 per document for 500 words or more and less than 1,000 words d) 0.10 per word for 1,000 words or more |
9) Making a copy of a document not otherwise provided for in the schedule | a) 30 per page by word processing, for 100 words or less b) 3 per copy by photographic process | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level; however, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | Not Applicable | a) 30 per page by word processing, for 100 words or less b) 3 per copy by photographic process |
10) Certifying a copy of a document | 20 per page | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level; however, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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 b) 0.22 per word for over 100 words or $60 per letter size page, whichever is the lesser | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level; however, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | Not Applicable | a) 15 for 100 words or less b) 0.22 per word for over 100 words or $60 per letter size page, whichever is the lesser |
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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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 b) 200 where the total current market value of the personal effects and the estate or part of the estate is CAN3,000 or more | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level; however, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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 b) 200 where the total current market value of the personal effects and the estate or part of the estate is CAN3,000 or more |
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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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 b) 50 per notice for sending a notice to appear, in the language of the country concerned c) 50 per person for the swearing of witnesses, court stenographers, translators, legal counsel or any other person d) 60 for certifying a transcript as correct, including uniting documents and sealing their fastening e) 60 per person per hour or part of an hour for the services of an employee of the mission as an interpreter f) 60 per person per hour or part of an hour for the services of a stenographer or typist supplied by the mission | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level; however, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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 b) 50 per notice for sending a notice to appear, in the language of the country concerned c) 50 per person for the swearing of witnesses, court stenographers, translators, legal counsel or any other person d) 60 for certifying a transcript as correct, including uniting documents and sealing their fastening e) 60 per person per hour or part of an hour for the services of an employee of the mission as an interpreter f) 60 per person per hour or part of an hour for the services of a stenographer or typist supplied by the mission |
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 b) 60 per document for 200 words or more and less than 500 words c) 80 per document for 500 words or more and less than 1,000 words d) 0.10 per word for 1,000 words or more | The department was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level; however, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | Not Applicable | a) 30 per document for less than 200 words b) 60 per document for 200 words or more and less than 500 words c) 80 per document for 500 words or more and less than 1,000 words d) 0.10 per word for 1,000 words or more |
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 was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level; however, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | 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 was not able to capture the revenue at the fee level; however, it tracked revenue at the fee-grouping level. | 0 | Not Applicable | 75 per transfer |
Export/Import Permit Fees
Fee grouping
Export/Import Permit Fees - Other Products and Services.
Fee
- Export permit or certificate delivered by the Trade Controls Bureau of Global Affairs Canada.
- Export permit or certificate delivered by a customs broker's office 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Fee-setting authority
- Export & Import Permits ActFootnote xii
- Export and Import Permits and Certificates Fees OrderFootnote xiii
- Financial Administration ActFootnote xiv
- Softwood Lumber Products Export Permit Fees RegulationsFootnote xv
Year fee-setting authority was introduced
1995 (Export & Import Permits Act and Export and Import Permits and Certificates Fees Order)
1996 (Softwood Lumber Products Export Permit Fees Regulations)
Last year fee‑setting authority was amended
2021 (Export & Import Permits Act)
2020 (Export and Import Permits and Certificates Fees Order)
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 redirected (routed) to departmental officers; process within three business days permit applications for B.C. logs that are reviewed by an export controls officer; 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 99.4% of the time. (Target: 90%)
Application of Low-Materiality Fees Regulations
- Low-materiality (<$51): Export/Import Permit Fees - Other Products and Services
| Fee | 2023–24 fee amount ($) | 2023–24 total fee revenue ($) | 2023–24 total remissions issued for the fee ($) | Fee adjustment date in 2025–26 | 2025–26 fee amount ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1) Export permit or certificate issued by the Trade Controls Bureau of Global Affairs Canada | 14 | 87,402 | 0 | 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 | 1,992,528 | 0 | Not Applicable | 9 |
3) Fees defined in section 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of the Softwood Lumber Products Export Permit Fees Regulations. | The fees were not enforced for the reporting period. | 0 | 0 | Not Applicable | 0 |
4) 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. | Less than 1,000 = 10 | 34,110 | 0 | Not Applicable | Less than 1,000 = 10 |
1,000 or more but less than 5,000 = 14 | 82,810 | 0 | Not Applicable | 1,000 or more but less than 5,000 = 14 | |
5,000 or more but less than 10,000 = 18 | 49,572 | 0 | Not Applicable | 5,000 or more but less than 10,000 = 18 | |
10,000 or more but less than 20,000 = 22 | 75,878 | 0 | Not Applicable | 10,000 or more but less than 20,000 = 22 | |
20,000 and over = 26 | 571,376 | 0 | Not Applicable | 20,000 and over = 26 | |
5) Where the import permit is delivered by the departments Trade Controls Bureau, the fee varies depending on the total value of the goods in respect of which the import permit is issued. | Less than 1,000 = 15 | 600 | 0 | Not Applicable | Less than 1,000 = 15 |
1,000 or more but less than 5,000 = 19 | 665 | 0 | Not Applicable | 1,000 or more but less than 5,000 = 19 | |
5,000 or more but less than 10,000 = 23 | 1,058 | 0 | Not Applicable | 5,000 or more but less than 10,000 = 23 | |
10,000 or more but less than 20,000 = 27 | 459 | 0 | Not Applicable | 10,000 or more but less than 20,000 = 27 | |
20,000 and over = 31 | 2,697 | 0 | Not Applicable | 20,000 and over = 31 |
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