Canadians have become accustomed to convenience and security in the retail industry. In fact, they have grown so used to those features that they are demanding them from the government, according to a new PwC Citizen Compass report.

More than 3,000 Canadians were asked whether they would like their government to provide e-services. The vast majority of respondents said they expect the same or similar services to what they receive from Canadian retailers: technology-infused, flexible and secure options.

Control was one of the main demands the respondents made. Similar to the flexibility they receive in retail payment processing, the surveyed citizens said they would like to be able to send in their own photos and renew or change their information electronically.

Security was another important issue. Respondents said that they wanted to be assured that their information, even when stored digitally, was safe from identity thieves or misappropriation.

One thing this survey makes clear is that Canadians have grown accustomed to flexibility, convenience and security in retail transactions. Stores with pos terminals that accept credit cards, debit cards and gift cards have made consumers come to expect these services.

As retailers increasingly incorporate merchant services that allow their customers to pay how they want - and receive rewards from making purchases with credit cards - they have shown how efficient and effective such services can be. It is only natural that Canadians would grow to appreciate these services and seek them out in other realms of their lives.

Merchants who want to provide the services that Canadian consumers clearly have become accustomed to should check to ensure that their payment processing options afford the most flexibility, convenience and security on the market.