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Framework on the Access to and Use of Cash Act

Full Title:
An Act to establish a framework for the continued access to and use of cash in Canada and to make related amendments to other Acts

Summary#

This bill creates a national plan to keep cash available and usable across Canada. It directs the Minister of Finance to develop and carry out a framework to protect access to cash and the option to pay with cash. It also removes the federal cabinet’s power to order certain bills or coins to be turned in and bans the Bank of Canada from issuing a digital Canadian dollar.

  • Requires the Minister to start a full review of laws and policies that affect cash access at financial institutions within 90 days.
  • Requires a framework with measures to keep cash withdrawal and deposit points available across Canada, set a reasonable travel distance to reach them, protect the continued use of cash even as digital currencies grow, reduce barriers to cash donations to non-profits (while still fighting money laundering and fraud), and keep the cash system effective and resilient.
  • Requires the Minister to table the framework and recommendations in Parliament within 18 months and publish it online, and to review its results within three years.
  • Repeals the cabinet’s power to “call in” (order the return of) certain coins or notes.
  • Prohibits the Bank of Canada from issuing a digital form of the dollar (a central bank digital currency).
  • What is unclear: The bill does not say which specific measures will be used or whether businesses must accept cash. Details would come in the framework.

What it means for you#

  • Consumers

    • Over time, access to ATMs and places to withdraw and deposit cash could be maintained or expanded. The exact changes will depend on the framework.
    • You would keep the option to pay with cash. The bill itself does not require stores to accept cash.
    • The government could no longer order you to turn in certain bills or coins through a cabinet “call‑in.”

  • People in rural or remote areas

    • The framework must set what counts as a reasonable distance to travel to get or deposit cash. This could lead to more or better-located cash services, but details are not yet set.

  • Non-profits and community organizations

    • The framework must seek to remove barriers and disincentives for taking cash donations, while still meeting anti–money laundering and fraud rules. This could mean simpler processes, but the bill does not list specific changes.

  • Businesses

    • No new duty to accept cash is created by this bill. Future measures could affect cash handling or acceptance, but that is not specified.

  • Banks, credit unions, ATM operators, cash‑handling firms

    • You may face new expectations to keep or expand cash withdrawal/deposit points and to support sorting, storage, and distribution of cash. Exact obligations, standards, and timelines are not specified.

  • All Canadians

    • The Bank of Canada would be barred from issuing a digital Canadian dollar unless Parliament changes the law in the future.

  • Timing

    • Review starts within 90 days of the Act taking effect. The framework must be reported to Parliament within 18 months. The timing to carry out specific measures is not stated.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

  • The bill appears intended to protect people who rely more on cash, including seniors, Indigenous peoples, newcomers, and people with low incomes (as noted in the preamble).
  • It could help community and charitable fundraising that still depends on cash.
  • It aims to preserve privacy by keeping cash as a viable payment option, since cash can be more private than digital payments.
  • A formal framework could help keep the cash system effective, resilient, and sustainable across the country.
  • Removing the cabinet’s “call‑in” power could increase confidence that cash remains usable.
  • Supporters may argue that prohibiting a digital dollar avoids privacy and surveillance risks that could come with a central bank digital currency.

Opponents' View#

  • Banning a digital Canadian dollar may limit future policy and innovation options in payments. The bill does not provide exceptions.
  • The bill does not define what a “reasonable distance” is or how access will be ensured, leaving key details and enforcement unclear.
  • It is unclear whether businesses would ever be required to accept cash, so the effect on daily retail purchases is uncertain.
  • Keeping nationwide cash access could add costs for financial institutions and cash‑service providers; the bill does not explain funding or cost‑sharing.
  • Removing the cabinet’s call‑in power may reduce the government’s ability to withdraw problematic or outdated currency if ever needed.
  • Balancing easier cash donations with strong anti–money laundering controls could be challenging, and the bill does not explain how this will be done.