Implementation of changes to Payments Canada’s bill payment framework

Changes the result of process that included public consultation, take effect December 1, 2026.

Payments Canada is implementing improvements to its bill payment framework. These enhancements are designed to improve operational efficiency, the ability to embrace technological advancements in an evolving marketplace and the bill payment experience for all impacted groups.

The following key changes will come into effect on December 1, 2026:

• Expanded scope and enhanced experience: The scope of the bill framework will be expanded to include electronic bill payments made to non-corporate creditor identification number (CCIN) billers. This expansion broadens the reach of the framework to encompass a wider array of electronic payments, contributing to the overall improvements of the bill payment system and a more consistent experience for individuals making bill payments.
• Streamlined biller enrollment: A comprehensive and streamlined process for the enrollment of billers that includes communication requirements for FIs, clear responsibilities for all parties and the utilization of a common biller enrollment form will be established within the rules. These changes aim to provide a clearer, more consistent and efficient method for businesses to set up their billing with FIs.
• Updated timeline for paper remittances: The effective date for removing paper-based remittances as acceptable items for exchange has been revised to December 1, 2026.
• Addressing inconsistent value-dating: As opposed to a best practice statement to address inconsistent value-dating, Payments Canada will publish a guideline that encourages all financial institutions (FIs) to include a provision in their agreements with non-Corporate creditor identification number (CCIN) billers stipulating that billers agree to deem their customers to have paid their bills on the business day the customers make the bill payment at their FI.

The changes are the result of a thorough process that included a public consultation, which closed on May 5, 2024. The feedback received confirmed support for the improvements and helped identify areas for refinement. Payments Canada analyzed this feedback and engaged in discussion with the industry to form the final recommendations.

The proposed improvements have now been endorsed by members, reviewed by the Bank of Canada and the Department of Finance and approved by Payments Canada's Board of Directors.

The effective date of December 1, 2026, for all amendments has been set to provide the industry with sufficient time to implement the required changes and to reduce the impact on customers.

The version of Rule H6 that will come into effect on December 1, 2026, has been published for awareness.

For any questions related to the changes to the bill payment framework, please contact Payments Canada at info@payments.ca.