There are several steps and activities organizations will need to take to prepare for the change to the RRS. Each step of the way, the RRS team will guide the transition to ensure all steps and requirements are understood. Some of the ways organizations and plans will be expected to get ready are:
Complete a Secure Access Agreement: Organizations must sign and return a document called a Secure Access Agreement which outlines their responsibilities for managing their access to the RRS through the Bank of Canada Secure Site. This form was emailed to all organizations and plans early December, 2013. If you need assistance or you would like to have the form re-sent to you, please send a request to rrs-support@bankofcanada.ca.
Designate Local Registration Authorities (LRAs): Authorized persons within each organization and plan, called Local Registration Authorities (LRAs), will be responsible for authorizing new users and any changes to end user accounts. Each LRA will receive instructions on how to do this in March 2014. Each organization must have two LRAs appointed prior to implementation, for back up purposes.
Request RRS User Accounts: Individual user accounts must be created to access the new RRS application. Authorized persons within each organization and plan called Local Registration Authorities (LRAs) will be required to authorize new users and any changes to end user accounts. The form to be used to request RRS User Accounts was email to your organization along with the Secure Access Agreement early December.
RRS Training: Online training for all new users will be available in February 2014. The RRS training and support team recommends training be completed at least one week prior to filing the first return using RRS.
RRS User Instructions: All user instructions including RRS User Guides and Quick Reference Guides will be available for all registered RRS users. Each organization’s LRA will distribute instructions to their users on how to access the secure site, through the Secure Site User Guide.
Organizational Readiness: Organizations and plans involved in the change to the RRS should ensure that all users have set up their user profiles and that all users are aware of the change. They are asked to ensure their users have completed training and have access to supporting documentation and user instructions.
Ready for RRS Phase Two “Go Live”: Go Live dates refer to the official start for using RRS instead of ADT to submit regulatory returns to OSFI, the BoC and CDIC. Organizations and plans are responsible for ensuring everyone who files for their organization/plan is aware of the change and dates the RRS is officially underway. RRS Phase Two is planned to go “live” on April 28, 2014 for:
- DTIs for filing corporate and RAPID (BF, BG and RAPCORP) returns,
- Insurance companies, and
- Pension plans.