Payments Canada and its staff gain civil liability immunity for good-faith actions under the Act

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

A new immunity provision has been added to the Canadian Payments Act shielding Payments Canada (the Association), its directors, officers, employees, and engaged contractors from civil liability — other than contractual claims — for anything done or omitted in good faith while carrying out powers or duties under the Act. This mirrors the existing good-faith protection already in place for the Minister and federal officials. One key carve-out: individuals covered by this immunity still remain fully liable to the Association itself, so internal accountability is preserved. Organizations that interact with Payments Canada or that are subject to its oversight should be aware that pursuing civil tort claims against the Association or its personnel for regulatory actions will now be harder to sustain.

Who this affects: Payments Canada (the Association) · Payments Canada directors, officers and employees · Contracted service providers engaged by Payments Canada · Financial institutions and payment system participants subject to Payments Canada oversight