Apple Pay expanding in Canada with support from big banks

In this photo taken Friday, Oct. 17, 2014, Eddy Cue, Apple Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, demonstrates the Apple Pay mobile payment system at a Whole Foods store in Cupertino, Calif. (AP/Eric Risberg)

TORONTO -- Canadians could soon find themselves leaving their wallets behind when they step out for a coffee or a bite to eat, as all five of the country's biggest banks announced partnerships Tuesday with Apple Pay.

The mobile payment system allows customers to upload credit and debit card information to certain Apple devices such as newer model iPhones and Apple Watches.

Customers can then use their devices to pay for purchases of up to $100 at stores and restaurants that are equipped to handle the technology.

Apple's tap-and-pay system was first launched south of the border in 2014 and has been gradually expanding internationally.

It was introduced in Canada last November but without support from the big banks, so it was only previously available to Canadians with American Express cards.

Avinash Chidambaram, vice-president of product and platform development at Interac, says he expects Canadians to embrace the technology quickly and readily.

When Apple Pay launched in the United States, contactless payments were a new phenomenon for shoppers, and it took some time for them to adjust their payment habits.

Canadians, on the other hand, are already used to paying with a tap because the technology was introduced into credit and debit cards some time ago, Chidambaram says.

"(In Canada) you can find contactless Flash terminals at virtually any merchant that you want to shop at," says Chidambaram.

"Whereas in the U.S. they're just starting that process of converting their magnetic stripe (cards) to chip-and-pin and contactless technology."

However, Jonathan Magder, Canadian payments lead with Accenture Strategy, says getting customers to change their habits can be tricky.

Motivating shoppers to change how they pay will require incentives such as discounts, coupons or reward points, he says.

"Will Apple Pay really drive mobile payments adoption in Canada? I think it could help a bit, but until you go beyond payments it won't move the needle that far," says Magder.

Royal Bank (TSX:RY) and CIBC (TSX:CM) customers as well as holders of Canadian Tire Bank and ATB Financial MasterCards were able to use Apple Pay as of Tuesday.

TD Bank (TSX:TD) says it will make the service available for Interac and Visa cards in the coming weeks.

The Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) and Scotiabank (TSX:BNS) have indicated they will roll out Apple Pay in the coming months.