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
Direct Clearer Procedures
ACSS Contingency Situation Manual Balancing & Settlement of Clearing
Retail batch payment system
Rule A9
Arbitration
Retail batch payment system
Quick links - ACSS
Automated clearing settlement system rules, standards and by-laws
Retail batch payment system
Rule K1
Bulk Exchange and Settlement of U.S. Dollar Items​
Retail batch payment system
Rule G4
Canada Revenue Agency Acceptance of Payments Goods And Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (Gst/Hst), Excise, Taxation, and Customs Programs
Retail batch payment system
Rule H2
Claim Drafts or Reimbursement Drafts
Retail batch payment system
Rule D2
Clearing Agent Requirements
Retail batch payment system
Standard 014
Clearing Replacement Document Design Standard
Retail batch payment system
Rule L3
Collateral​
Retail batch payment system
Standard 015
Companion Document to the ANSI X9.100-187-2008, "Specifications for Electronic Exchange of Check and Image Data - Domestic"
Retail batch payment system
Association By-law No. 6
Compliance
Retail batch payment system, High-value payment system - Lynx, System by-laws
Rule H3
Correction of Electronic Bill Payment Errors
Retail batch payment system