Credit card processing in Ottawa, ON
Ottawa's economy is built around the federal government and a technology sector in Kanata, and many shoppers and diners cross the river from Gatineau, where Quebec law bans card fees.
Ottawa business, from ByWard Market to The Glebe
The ByWard Market, Glebe and Westboro hold restaurants, bars and boutiques, and Parliament Hill draws tourists. Federal departments and contractors create a big weekday economy.
Winterlude and Canada Day bring huge crowds downtown, and the Rideau Canal skateway turns winter into a season for outdoor vendors.
Business districts: ByWard Market · The Glebe · Westboro · Little Italy (Preston Street) · Kanata North · Centretown
Commercial corridors: Bank Street · Elgin Street · Sparks Street · Rideau Street · Wellington Street West · Preston Street · Somerset Street West · Richmond Road · Merivale Road · Montreal Road · Baseline Road · Hazeldean Road
The legal side of card fees in Ottawa
Under FCAC's national guidance, Federal contractors in Ottawa can pass on credit card costs up to 2.4% or cost, whichever is lower, once the processor has written notice and customers are told before paying; never on debit or prepaid.
The Canadian surcharge guide · general guidance only
Which pricing suits ByWard Market restaurants?
Federal contractors should use pre-authorized debit and commercial card data. ByWard Market restaurants with many Interac payments should make sure debit is priced per transaction. Festival vendors need mobile terminals.
POS for Federal contractors, Winterlude and Canada Day vendors and more
- ByWard Market restaurants
- Pay-at-table with Interac and tip adjustment, set up around how ByWard Market restaurants in Ottawa sell.
- Federal contractors
- Invoicing and pre-authorized debit, set up around how Federal contractors in Ottawa sell.
- Winterlude and Canada Day vendors
- Mobile terminals with offline mode, set up around how Winterlude and Canada Day vendors in Ottawa sell.
Send one statement. Every fee named, back, usually within 4 hours.
It is free, there is nothing to sign and nothing to cancel. We read your current merchant statement line by line, name every fee on it — including the ones buried in the fee schedule — work out your true effective rate, and send the written analysis back, usually within 4 hours. Do not want to wait? Call 1-888-705-7896 and we will read your statement with you on the call in about 5 minutes.
Ottawa: quick answers
The sale happens in Ontario, but because Quebec bans card fees for its consumers, take advice before charging a fee on sales delivered to Quebec.
Usually a flat amount per transaction, far below credit card percentages.
For Winterlude and Canada Day vendors: Pre-authorized debit and commercial card data.
For ByWard Market restaurants: Mobile terminals and a warning to the provider.