A Slightly Different Look for the Government of Canada Cheque starting in February 2007

The Government of Canada is changing its cheque to increase security and to meet changes in the banking industry standards. Designed as a better means to protect against fraud, the new cheque has the following features:

• The date will be printed in numbers only, following the international date standard;
• The amount will be written out in words, in both official languages, making alteration more difficult;
• The payee name and address will appear on a plain white paper background in the window of the envelope. It will be harder to see that there is a cheque in the envelope; and
• The cheque will be larger to allow for the changes.

For reference purposes, a sample of the new cheque is included below.

Direct deposit remains the method of payment of choice for federal employees because it provides a faster, more reliable and environmentally friendly way to receive payments.

In order to move to the new banking industry requirements, the government of Canada has launched the Receiver General Settlement Streamlining (RGSS) project. Additional details will be communicated to you as they become available.

Should you have further questions about the Government of Canada’s new cheque or about the Receiver General Settlement Streamlining Project, please do not hesitate to contact Sonja Crosby, Manager, Receiver General Streamlining Settlement (RGSS) Project at 819-956-8897 or John Paveling, Acting Director, Payment Products and Services Directorate, at 819-956-0345.