On Aug. 5, 2025, CAN PAY reported implementing changes to bill payment framework.
Enhancements to improve operational efficiency, ability to embrace technological advancements in evolving marketplace, bill payment experience for impacted groups.
Expanded scope and enhanced experience to include electronic bill payments made to non-corporate creditor identification number (CCIN) billers; broadens the reach
Streamlined biller enrollment for enrollment of billers that includes communication requirements for FIs, clear responsibilities, utilization common biller enrollment form.
Updated timeline for paper remittances; effective date for removing paper-based remittances as acceptable items for exchange has been revised to Dec. 1, 2026.
Key amendments and version of Rule H6 will come into effect on Dec. 1, 2026.
CAN PAY launched consultation on proposed changes to improve bill payments.
Also published an explainer note outlining bill payment remittance system, updates.
Consultation Overview
Seeks feedback on impact of Automated Clearing Settlement System (ACSS) changes.
Proposed changes to ACSS Rule H6, which provides the regulatory framework for processing bill payment remittances through ACSS by member financial institutions.
Since ACSS Rule H6 only applies to payments made to a biller with a corporate creditor identification number (CCIN), gap exists with other payments governed differently.
Aims to improve operational efficiency, ability to embrace technological advancements in an evolving marketplace, and the bill payment experience for all impacted groups.
Proposed changes will be launched in multiple phases based on the complexity to implement, with first set of changes anticipated to be effective in the first half of 2025.
Proposal Overview
Paper-based remittances no longer acceptable for exchange between member financial institutions for clearing/settlement in ACSS; ACSS stream F be retired Jun. 30, 2025.
Scope of bill payment framework be expanded to include all electronic bill payments made to CCIN billers and non-CCIN billers that are exchanged as credit transfers.
CAN PAY to develop a best practice statement that encourages billers to deem customers to have paid bills on the business day payment made at financial institution.
To introduce a comprehensive and streamlined process for the enrollment of CCIN billers that includes more robust communication requirements for financial institutions.
A similar enrollment process for non-CCIN billers be established within the rules also.
Consultation
Feedback and comments on the consultation are due on or before May 5, 2024.
Dec. 2024 CAN PAY Payment Framework
On Dec. 9, 2024, CAN PAY reported that the consultation supported improvements to the bill payment framework and identified areas where refinements may be required.
Identified themes included expansion of scope of the framework to include electronic bill payments made to non-corporate creditor identification number (CCIN) billers.
Strong support for new streamlined enrollment process for billers and standardization.
Encouragement for Payments Canada to promote consistent value-dating practices between CCIN and non-CCIN billers and support to remove paper-based remittances.
Also, supported the need for reasonable timeframes for implementing any changes.
Aug. 2025 CAN PAY Final Framework
On Aug. 5, 2025, CAN PAY reported implementing changes to bill payment framework.
Enhancements to improve operational efficiency, ability to embrace technological advancements in evolving marketplace, bill payment experience for impacted groups.
Expanded scope and enhanced experience to include electronic bill payments made to non-corporate creditor identification number (CCIN) billers; broadens the reach
Streamlined biller enrollment for enrollment of billers that includes communication requirements for FIs, clear responsibilities, utilization common biller enrollment form.
Updated timeline for paper remittances; effective date for removing paper-based remittances as acceptable items for exchange has been revised to Dec. 1, 2026.
Key amendments and version of Rule H6 will come into effect on Dec. 1, 2026.
