Rules & documentation

By-laws, rules, standards and procedure documents are integral parts of the legal framework of the national payment systems that Payments Canada is legislated to establish and operate. They lay out the roles, responsibilities and obligations of our member financial institutions on the appropriate handling of payment items exchanged, cleared and settled via our payment systems. This includes requirements for participation in a payment system or scheme, procedures for the processing of payment items, and the requirements and timeframes for returning payment items, where eligible.

Payments Canada’s rules, standards and procedure documents are updated regularly and versions posted online are in force. You can contact Payments Canada for confirmation by e-mail at info@payments.ca.

Item Title Updated System
Standard 007
Standards for the use of transaction codes and return reason codes in AFT files
Retail batch payment system
Rule G3
Rules Pertaining to the Redemption and Settlement of Government of Canada Paper Instruments
Retail batch payment system
Rule C1
Cross-border Arrangements
Retail batch payment system
Introduction
Introduction
Retail batch payment system
Rule E1
Shared Electronic Point-of-Service Payment Items
Retail batch payment system
Rule E4
Exchange of PIN-less Point-of-Service Debit Payment Items for the Purpose of Clearing and Settlement
Retail batch payment system
Rule E5
Exchange of Point-of-Service Delayed Authorization Debit Payment Items for the Purpose of Clearing and Settlement
Retail batch payment system
Rule L3
Collateral​
Retail batch payment system
Rule D1
Direct Clearer / Group Clearer Requirements ​​
Retail batch payment system
Rule A1
General Rules Pertaining to Items Acceptable for Clearing
Retail batch payment system
Rule A10
Image Rule
Retail batch payment system
Rule H6
Rules Pertaining to the Inter Financial Institution Exchange of Bill Payment Remittances for the Purpose of Clearing and Settlement
Retail batch payment system