Fee Changes

FEE CHANGES – Effective May 1, 2022

As a not-for-profit public safety regulator, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) charges fixed annual fees on a cost-recovery basis that reflect the true cost of providing public safety services. Fixed annual fees cover safety services including licences, permits and business registrations, plus regular inspections.

As detailed below, after conducting a thorough fee review, TSSA has determined that an inflationary fee increase of 2.6% is necessary in two program areas for fiscal year 2023 to continue to cover the costs of operations in these sectors. There is no planned fee increase for other programs.

Current Fee Schedules - Effective May 1, 2022

TSSA’s fee structure supports TSSA’s transformation to an outcome-based regulator by enabling TSSA to focus its resources on high-risk areas that pose the greatest threat to public safety, make further service improvements, and investigate and follow up on unlicensed owners and workers.

Inflationary Fee Increase of 2.6% for Two Program Areas

In response to inflationary pressures and to move closer to cost recovery in each program area, TSSA is implementing a 2.6% fee increase to all fees in the following two program areas, effective May 1, 2022.

Program	Inflationary Fee Increase
Boilers & Pressure Vessels / Operating Engineers	2.6%
Fuels Safety	2.6%

No Fee Increase for Elevating, Ski and Amusement Devices Program

There is no planned fee increase for this year in the Elevating, Ski, and Amusement Devices program where current revenue is expected to cover costs.

Other Changes

TSSA has added two new fee categories for small- and medium-sized marinas for fiscal year 2023, effective May 1, 2022.

TSSA has also reduced the minimum fee payable for field approval of propane and natural gas appliances or equipment (other than mobile food service equipment) effective May 1, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is TSSA increasing its fees?

As a not-for-profit public safety regulator, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) charges fees on a cost-recovery basis to equitably reflect the true cost of providing public safety services.

During 2021, TSSA managed successfully through pandemic lockdowns by reducing costs in line with reduced revenue and by providing support to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to help educate businesses on COVID-19 safety protocols.

After conducting a thorough fee review, TSSA determined that a 2.6% inflationary fee increase is necessary in two program areas - Boilers & Pressure Vessels/Operating Engineers and Fuels - to continue to cover the costs of operations in these sectors. There is no planned fee increase for the Elevating Devices, Amusement Devices and Ski Lifts program since it is currently achieving cost recovery.

TSSA is also reducing the fees payable by smaller marinas by adding two new categories for small- and medium-sized marinas. As well the minimum fee and minimum hours for appliance or equipment field approvals in fuels will be reduced to better accommodate small sized jobs.

How are fees established by TSSA?

TSSA analyzes the revenue required to deliver its safety services and further investment in its safety system. Based on agreed-upon principles with the government of Ontario, TSSA’s fee-setting principles should:

Recover all direct and indirect service delivery costs associated with the delegated authority mandate
Generate a net revenue margin of up to 5%
Reflect three-year cost trends
Eliminate cross-subsidization between safety programs
Reasonably reflect sector and service activity, such as engineering and inspection, within each program; and safety infrastructure costs such as standards and codes work, investigations, prosecutions, regulatory enhancements, and re-investments in public safety.

Why is there a fee increase for the Boilers & Pressure Vessels/Operating Engineers and Fuels sectors and not the other industries?

After conducting a fee review, TSSA determined that an inflationary-based fee increase is necessary to cover deficits in two program areas - Boilers & Pressure Vessels/Operating Engineers and Fuels.

There is no planned increase for the Elevating Devices, Amusement Devices and Ski Lifts program since it is currently achieving cost recovery.

Has TSSA considered the impact of this increase on businesses?

Yes. TSSA prides itself on strong relationships with its industry partners and has made every effort to keep fee increases to a minimum.

While TSSA recognizes that any fee increase imposes additional financial obligation on industry, the overall fee change impact has been limited to an inflationary fee increase of 2.6% in only two programs based on the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario report.

Advisory councils have been engaged to address concerns with TSSA’s new fee structure that was rolled out in May 2021. During meetings in the fall of 2021, they were presented with each sector’s current financial position and provided with the rationale for proposed fee changes.

As a result, effective May 1, 2022, TSSA is reducing the minimum fee payable for field approval of propane and natural gas appliances or equipment (other than mobile food service equipment) and added two new fee categories for small- and medium-sized marina registrations.

How does TSSA demonstrate that its operating costs are being contained and reasonable efficiencies are being achieved?

TSSA is accountable to both its Board of Directors and the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery to demonstrate that it is most effectively and efficiently using resources. We are committed to regularly reviewing our compliance strategies to ensure that we concentrate our efforts on safety priorities and use our resources to effectively address those priorities. TSSA’s costs per regulated entity continue to decline year over year.

TSSA managed successfully through pandemic lockdowns by reducing costs in line with reduced revenue and benefitted from partnering with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to visit 11,000 restaurants, construction sites, retail stores and golf courses. Through this effort, TSSA helped to educate business owners, managers and staff on COVID-19 safety protocols and provided valuable tips on ways to ensure appropriate physical distancing and improve air flow and workplace sanitation.

Going forward, TSSA will continue to focus on responsible stewardship of resources in the delivery of our safety mandate.

What has TSSA implemented to reduce costs for compliant customers with good safety records?

In May 2021, TSSA implemented a new, streamlined fee structure that charges a fixed annual fee for licences, permits and registrations and that includes all periodic inspections and one follow-up inspection (where applicable) as well as engineering reviews plus associated inspections (where applicable).

Customers who demonstrate a good safety record will avoid any charges for repeated follow up inspections due to non-compliance.

Looking forward, TSSA is starting to roll out industry compliance standards that will focus on high-risk hazards that have been identified through an analysis of historical inspection and incident data. The use of compliance standards will assist regulated parties in further understanding their obligations and ensuring public safety.

What can I do to minimize my fees?

Customers can take the following steps to help ensure compliance with regulatory obligations and minimize fees:

Remain compliant with safety regulations and codes
Ensure workers have appropriate training and applicable certifications or licences
Provide ongoing safety training and education for workers
Ensure all required documentation is in order
Provide the necessary support to facilitate the completion of field inspections
Plan in advance to avoid additional fees for rush services

TSSA’s Fixed Annual Fee Structure

Starting in 2021, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) implemented an improved method of fee collection that is fair, more predictable and reduces the number of invoices received by customers.

TSSA has moved away from a fee-for-service fee structure to a fixed annual fee that covers safety services and eliminates separate bills for licences, permits and business registrations, plus regular inspections. TSSA no longer bills for routine inspections, except in cases where there are multiple follow-up inspections due to ongoing non-compliance.

With TSSA’s flat fee structure, businesses can:

Eliminate concerns about billing surprises
Budget with certainty
Price requested services more accurately

Benefits of the Flat Fee Structure

SIMPLE – The pre-paid flat fee is standard and predictable.
EQUITABLE – The fee is fair and reasonable. In most cases, smaller businesses have seen a reduction in fees.
EFFICIENT – The simplified fee structure lowers administrative costs by reducing the number of customer invoices.
ACCESSIBLE – Customers have convenient, online access to pay their fees.

Questions?

Please contact us if you have any questions.
Email: customerservices@tssa.org
Telephone: 1-877-682-8772

Previous Fee Schedules – Effective until April 30, 2022

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