Regulations Amending the Explosives Regulations, 2013

The amendments affect a broad range of businesses across the Canadian explosives sector — including commercial explosive manufacturers (mining, oil and gas, construction), fireworks operators and display companies, propellant powder and ammunition retailers, trucking companies that haul explosives, and rocket motor hobbyists and sellers. There are over 1,000 active business-related licences and more than 10,000 fireworks operator certificates in the system, with an estimated 3,297 small businesses directly impacted. The biggest new cost for most businesses will be updated licence and permit fees, which are increasing across the board (e.g., user magazine licences rising from $71.40 flat to $100 per magazine, fireworks operator certificate renewals rising from $102 to $160); trucking companies will face a new transport permit fee of $20 per vehicle ($200 minimum, $750 maximum, valid 3 years) plus driver training and record-keeping requirements. On the other hand, display assistants working at fireworks shows no longer need to pay for and obtain a separate fireworks operator certificate, saving the industry about $34,000 per year, and magazine licence holders save time by no longer having to submit fire safety plans directly to local fire departments. The net cost to small businesses is estimated at about $65 per business per year.