Annual Report 1994/95 - Recovering Costs

I also intend to move forward on the cost recovery initiative that was begun in 1993. At that time, I issued a discussion paper on the subject. A substantial amount of comment questioned whether the authority existed to engage in such activity. With the passage of the Industry Canada Act, any uncertainty in this regard has been dispelled. It is my intention to engage in further consultations on the subject with a view to implementing cost recovery for pre-notification filings, requests for Advance Ruling Certificates, photocopy costs and advisory opinions. In the past year I surveyed a number of users of the Program of Advisory opinions in order to determine their views as to the usefulness of the Program, any changes that might be made and different approaches to instituting charges for opinions given under the Program.