Legal Counsel

Payments Canada is at the forefront of the Canadian payments ecosystem, offering an exceptional career opportunity for an experienced corporate lawyer. Our mission is to make payments easier, smarter, and safer for all Canadians. Every business day, our critical infrastructure clears and settles hundreds of billions of dollars in financial transactions ($103 trillion total in 2025 alone). If you are a corporate or regulatory lawyer passionate about shaping the future of Canadian banking, fintech, and financial law, this Legal Counsel role is built for you.

Who we are

We are a public-purpose, federally regulated, non-profit organization operating at the heart of Canada’s financial market infrastructure. We own and operate major payment systems, convening diverse industry participants to navigate complex legal, regulatory, and technological challenges. Guided by our core values—to inspire trust, build community, and enable change—we connect our country's financial ecosystem.

Our culture

We foster an inclusive, high-performance culture rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and professional development. When you join our Legal Affairs team, your work has a direct, measurable impact on national financial stability and economic innovation.
Why legal professionals choose Payments Canada:

• Work alongside collaborative, ambitious, and highly respected colleagues in banking and regulatory law.
• Take ownership of unique, high-profile legal initiatives spanning fintech, payments law, and statutory governance.
• Accelerate your career growth and become a recognized subject matter expert in financial services law.
• Enjoy a flexible hybrid work model based out of our Toronto or Ottawa corporate offices.

What we are looking for

Reporting to the Director, Legal Affairs & Senior Legal Counsel, the Legal Counsel functions as part of a collegial, business-focused legal team. You will provide strategic, operational, and regulatory legal analysis to support Payments Canada’s statutory mandate, enabling legislation, by-laws, rules, and general corporate affairs.

Legal advice and core responsibilities

• Provide proactive legal advice on a wide range of legal risks, regulatory compliance matters, and commercial inquiries.
• Advise on the Canadian Payments Act, payments clearing and settlement rules, standards, and by-laws.
• Support governance, regulatory oversight, commercial transactions, information technology, fintech initiatives, and emerging legal frameworks.
• Review, draft, and negotiate complex commercial contracts, agreements, and organizational policies.
• Protect solicitor-client privilege and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct, confidentiality, and loyalty.
• Mentor internal colleagues and share specialized legal knowledge across business units to promote cross-functional collaboration.

Professional development & technical competencies

• Minimum of 5–10 days annually dedicated to continuing professional development (CPD) in fulfillment of Law Society requirements.
• Exceptional legal drafting, research, and analytical skills with the ability to translate complex statutory frameworks into concise, business-oriented guidance.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance legal risk management with strategic business objectives.
• High degree of initiative, sound judgment, discretion, and interpersonal diplomacy.

What you need to be successful

• Education: Baccalaureate of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.).
• Credentials: Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of post-call corporate or commercial law experience gained within a reputable law firm or an in-house legal department.
• Domain Expertise: Demonstrated experience in drafting and interpreting legislation, by-laws, rules, or corporate policies.
• Industry Background: Experience in financial services, fintech, banking law, or with federally regulated entities is considered a strong asset.
• Additional Assets: Post-call experience in Ontario, background in employment and labor law, or bilingualism (English/French).
• Work Location: Ability to work out of our Toronto or Ottawa offices in a hybrid arrangement.

Salary range & total rewards

The target starting rate for this position is $119,850, with competitive placement determined based on your legal experience and qualifications.
Application Deadline: Please submit your application by October 23, 2026.

What's in it for you?

• Flexible, hybrid remote/office working environment.
• Comprehensive compensation package including an annual variable performance bonus and a defined contribution pension plan with employer matching.
• Robust health, dental, and life insurance benefits, including mental health coverage and a health spending account.
• Generous paid time off: minimum four weeks paid vacation, personal/sick days, a December holiday shutdown, and cultural holiday observances.
• Up to 26 weeks of paid maternity and parental leave top-up.
• Access to on-site office gym facilities and internal/external professional development programs.

Our commitment to fair hiring

Payments Canada is dedicated to fair, transparent, and inclusive recruitment. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to employment equity, actively encouraging applications from women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities.
Our recruitment process utilizes automated screening tools (excluding generative AI) to objectively review qualifications against job requirements, with final hiring decisions made entirely by our trained human recruitment professionals and hiring managers.
If selected for an interview, please advise us of any required accommodations by contacting hrinfo@payments.ca. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.