Aug. 16, 2010 - Today, the federal code of conduct for Canada's debit and credit card markets announced by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in April came into effect. The code has been adopted by all payment card networks, including American Express Canada, THE EXCHANGE ATM network, Interac, MasterCard Canada and Visa Canada.
The Payments Accountability Council (PAC), led by Retail Council of Canada (RCC), the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD) and backed by more than 250,000 Canadian merchants will monitor, through member feedback, compliance with the code. Failures to comply will be reported to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), the government mandated watchdog monitoring the implementation of the code.
"Minister Flaherty and the Government of Canada deserve a great deal of credit for taking this critical step toward developing a Canadian payments system that is competitive, fair and provides clarity for both merchants and customers," says Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada and co-chair of the Payments Accountability Council. "Though our members continue to believe a robust regulatory framework is necessary for Canada's debit and credit card markets, the code represents much needed incremental progress. We will be keeping a close eye on the industry to make sure the code is being followed in good faith."
FCAC's Role in Monitoring the Code
Under the Payment Card Networks Act, the FCAC has been given responsibility for monitoring the implementation of the code of conduct and payment card network operators' ongoing adherence to it. To do so, FCAC will monitor issues raised by consumers and merchants and work with payment card networks to resolve them. The Agency will report to the Minister of Finance at least annually on adherence to the code of conduct.
Merchants who believe that their rights under the code of conduct have not been respected may also contact FCAC by telephone at 1-866-461-3222. If it appears that there is non-compliance with the code, FCAC will investigate and will follow up with the payment card network.
For almost two years, retailers, grocers and other service sector businesses from coast-to-coast have been advocating for government measures to increase clarity, transparency and choice in a payments system controlled by only a few major players.
Minister Flaherty has committed to regulate the conduct of the credit card companies, banks and processors involved in Canada's payments system if they do not adhere to the voluntary code.
The PAC remains focused on three key principles needed in the Canadian payments system:
- The need to provide clarity - for consumers and merchants
- The need to provide merchants with effective tools to manage costs
associated with debit and credit cards
- The need to ensure that the costs built into the system through
loyalty and other programs are paid for by those who introduce and
benefit from these programs
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