Rule amendments improve clarity, operational processes and alignment with existing standards

Stay up to date on changes and amendments to Payments Canada’s rules and by-laws.

Payments Canada has announced a series of additional updates to the rules for the Automated Clearing and Settlement System (ACSS) and Lynx. These changes focus on enhancing operational processes and alignment with existing by-laws. The amendments took effect on February 10, 2025.

Key updates include:

• ACSS rules D1 and D2: Amendments clarify the process for Clearing Agents and Group Clearers when ceasing to act immediately for an Indirect Clearer (IC). The updates specify that notice to Payments Canada must be provided at the time the Clearing Agent decides to cease acting as opposed to when the decision has already taken effect. Clearing Agents are now required to continue accepting payment items for the IC until the final exchange time on the business day they cease acting.
• ACSS Rule F7: This rule now includes an annual attestation requirement for Direct Clearers (DCs) to confirm their adherence to the Financial Institutional File (FIF) Service Level Description (SLD). Direct Clearers must submit this attestation each year by January 31. The amendments also reinforce that DCs are accountable for ensuring their non-member subscribers comply with the FIF SLD.
• ACSS rules B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B9, B10, B13, D1, D2, D3 and D4: These rules were updated to provide consistency within our ACSS rules.
• Lynx Rule 12: Changes to this rule support Payments Canada’s initiative to digitize forms used by members. For example, the Lynx Incident Report form will now be completed and submitted through the member portal, eliminating manual processes. References updating this process have been included, as well as those referring to the CPA Service Desk, which has been renamed the Payments Canada Operations Centre.
• Lynx TSP-004: The clarifications added to this rule highlight that throughput monitoring is intended to identify trends and provide insights into the business models of participants and not serve as a pass-fail measure. Payments Canada will engage with participants as necessary and monthly reports will help track trends.
• Lynx rules 1, 2, 5 and 6: References to the CPA Service Desk have been updated to reflect its renaming to the Payments Canada Operations Centre.

Rules, standards and by-laws are reviewed and, if necessary, amended regularly through processes that involve Payments Canada members, the Bank of Canada, the Payments Canada Board, the Department of Finance and the Department of Justice, as required.

For full versions of amendments and rules and to learn more about Payments Canada’s rules, by-laws and the amendment or development process, please visit our rules and documentation webpage.