To help their business customers make a smooth transition, financial institutions are providing a grace New cheques at this point should ensure that they meet the new specifications. The new specifications were published in January 2005 and are in effect now. When do the new specifications come into effect? " Cheque Imaging: A Change Whose Time Has Come". The new specifications areĭesigned to ensure that high-quality images can be captured from the cheques for useīy financial institutions and their customers, and to make cheque processing more efficient.įor more information on this initiative, consult The new cheque specifications are a key part of an industry-wide plan to modernizeĬanada's cheque clearing system through image technology. Why has the CPA changed the Canadian cheque specifications?