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
Rule A5
Credits to Accounts of Deceased Customers
Retail batch payment system
Rule C1
Cross-border Arrangements
Retail batch payment system
Rule D1
Direct Clearer / Group Clearer Requirements ​​
Retail batch payment system
Rule F8
Direct Payment Routing Numbers
Retail batch payment system
Rule A3
Endorsement and Identification of Paper Items
Retail batch payment system
Rule E2
Exchange for the Purpose of Clearing and Settlement of Electronic On-line 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 F7
Financial Institutions File (FIF)
Retail batch payment system
Rule J7
Force Majeure Situations
Retail batch payment system
Rule B4
Formation, Membership and Management of Regional Clearing Associations
Retail batch payment system
Rule G2
General Rules Pertaining to Government of Canada Paper Instruments
Retail batch payment system