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# Debt Relief Canada: Write off up to 80% of your unaffordable debt with Debt Relief Canada, brought to you by A. Moses Advisory Group & Partners Inc.

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## Posts
- [Can You Keep Your Car if You Claim Bankruptcy?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/keeping-your-car-in-bankruptcy/): Most Canadians who file for bankruptcy keep their car. Federal law under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act lets each province set a vehicle exemption that protects equity up to a fixed dollar amount, and the majority of used cars fall below the threshold. In Ontario, that exemption sits at $8,578 of equity in one motor vehicle. If your car is worth less than the limit after subtracting any loan balance, the Licensed Insolvency Trustee has no claim on it. If it's worth more, you can pay the difference into the estate, surrender the car, or file a consumer proposal instead. Financed and leased cars sit outside the exemption rules. Financed and leased cars sit outside the exemption rules, because bankruptcy doesn't wipe out what you owe on the car. Keep up the payments, and you keep the car. If you fall behind, the lender can take the car back.
- [Does Debt Consolidation Affect Your Credit Score?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/debt-consolidation-credit-score/): Debt consolidation drops your credit score by a few points at first. Over the following months, it will usually rebound and end up higher than where it started. The drop is temporary. A hard inquiry from the application and a new account on your file will lower the score. The long-term benefit comes from credit utilization, the second biggest factor in any Canadian credit score. When you consolidate credit card balances, your credit utilization ratio falls. The degree of fluctuation in your credit score largely depends on the type of consolidation product you choose, whether you keep your old credit cards open, and whether you make payments to the new loan on time.
- [Does Credit Counselling Affect Your Credit Score?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/does-credit-counselling-affect-your-credit-score/): Credit counselling on its own does not affect your credit score. It's not reported to Equifax Canada or TransUnion Canada, and any credit check during the session is a soft inquiry. Credit counselling only affects your credit score if you enter into a debt management plan. When you enter a debt management plan, your creditors report each included account with an R7 credit rating. That R7 tells future lenders you are repaying debt through a structured program. Credit bureaus remove all records of a debt management plan two years after you pay off your debts. That is the shortest retention period of any formal debt relief option in Canada.
- [Do You Lose Your House in Bankruptcy in Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/do-you-lose-your-house-in-bankruptcy/): Bankruptcy does not automatically mean you'll lose your house. Whether you keep your home depends on how much equity you have and the exemption limit set by your province. If your equity falls below your province's exemption threshold, your Licensed Insolvency Trustee cannot seize the home. You keep it as long as your mortgage payments stay current. If your equity exceeds the exemption, you either pay the non-exempt portion to your trustee or the home is sold. Your mortgage lender cannot call your mortgage or change your terms just because you filed for bankruptcy.
- [What are the Pros and Cons of Bankruptcy in Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/pros-and-cons-of-bankruptcy/): Personal bankruptcy eliminates most unsecured debts and stops collection calls, wage garnishments, and lawsuits through an automatic stay of proceedings. A first-time bankruptcy without surplus income can be completed in nine months. There are trade-offs. An R9 credit stays on your report for six to seven years after discharge, and you lose non-exempt assets. If your income exceeds the surplus income threshold, it will cost more and last longer. Whether personal bankruptcy is the right option depends on what you owe, what you earn, and what you own.
- [Am I Responsible for My Spouse’s Debt?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/am-i-responsible-for-my-spouses-debt/): In Canada, you are not responsible for your spouse's debt unless you co-signed or co-borrowed. Debt held solely in your partner's name is their legal obligation, whether you're married or common-law. Joint debts are different. Joint and several liability means each person on the account owes the full balance, not half. If your spouse stops paying, the creditor comes after you for the full amount. During separation or divorce, provincial family law may factor one spouse's debt into property division, even when only one name is on the account. But that's not the same as the creditor coming after you directly. If a spouse dies, their debts are paid from the estate, not passed to the surviving partner. The distinction between what a creditor can collect and what a court orders in a family law proceeding is the single most important thing to understand here.
- [How to File Bankruptcy in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/how-to-file-bankruptcy-in-canada/): Personal bankruptcy in Canada is a legal process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act that eliminates most unsecured debts. Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can file the paperwork. You start with a free consultation, sign official documents, and your trustee submits everything to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy. A first-time bankruptcy with no surplus income takes nine months. If your net income exceeds the government threshold by $200 or more per month, you make surplus income payments, and the process extends to 21 months. As of 2026, the surplus income threshold for a single person is $2,666 per month. Most provinces protect essential assets like household goods, tools of trade, and a portion of home equity. Once discharged, you're legally released from most unsecured debts and can start rebuilding your credit.
- [Can You Keep Your Car in a Consumer Proposal?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/keep-your-car-consumer-proposal/): Yes, you can keep your car in a consumer proposal. Your car loan, lease or ownership isn't affected as long as you stay current on payments. A consumer proposal only covers unsecured debt. The Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act prevents your lender from changing your loan terms or repossessing your car just because you filed. Keep making payments, and you can keep your car. If you can't afford the payments, you can surrender the vehicle before filing. The difference between what you owe and the car’s value will be included as unsecured debt in the consumer proposal. Your car's value does affect the proposal. Your trustee factors it into the offer to creditors because the offer has to be worth more than what creditors would receive in a bankruptcy.
- [Can I Keep My House in a Consumer Proposal?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/can-i-keep-my-house-in-a-consumer-proposal/): A consumer proposal lets you keep your house. You don't surrender any assets to your creditors when you file one, and that includes your home, your mortgage and whatever equity you've built up. The offer to creditors must give them more than they'd receive if you declared bankruptcy. Your Licensed Insolvency Trustee calculates this using your home equity and your province's exemption limits. Your mortgage payments continue as normal, and you need to keep your property taxes current too. Your lender can't change your mortgage terms or call your loan just because you filed a consumer proposal. For homeowners with equity at risk in a bankruptcy, a consumer proposal is the smarter route.
- [What Assets Can You Keep in a Consumer Proposal?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/assets-can-you-keep-consumer-proposal/): A consumer proposal protects your assets. Unlike bankruptcy, you normally keep your home, car, savings, and investments. Secured debts like vehicle financing still need to be maintained. Your offer to creditors must be worth more than what they'd receive if you declared bankruptcy. Get that calculation right and everything stays with you. Registered savings like RRSPs, RPPs, and LIRAs are fully protected. RESPs and TFSAs aren't automatically exempt, but you can keep them by including their value in your offer. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee works out what your offer needs to be based on your assets and province. The initial consultation is free.
- [How to File a Consumer Proposal in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/how-to-file-consumer-proposal/): A consumer proposal is a legal way to settle your unsecured debts for less than you owe. You make one fixed monthly payment, with no interest, for up to five years. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee files it on your behalf. You can file within days of your first consultation. It lasts up to five years, though you can pay it off faster with no penalty. Once filed, collection calls, wage garnishments and lawsuits from unsecured creditors stop. Your creditors have 45 days to vote, and if creditors holding more than 50% of your debt by dollar value accept, the consumer proposal is approved. You keep your assets. In 2025, 140,457 Canadians filed a consumer proposal or declared bankruptcy. Consumer proposals accounted for roughly four out of every five filings.
- [What Is a Wage Garnishment In Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/what-is-a-wage-garnishment/): A wage garnishment is a court order that lets your creditor take money directly from your paycheque to repay a debt. Most creditors need to sue you and get a judgment before they can garnish your wages, but the Canada Revenue Agency can skip the court process entirely. How much they can take depends on your province, ranging from 15% in Nova Scotia to 30% in British Columbia. A consumer proposal or bankruptcy triggers a stay of proceedings that stops garnishment immediately.
- [What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/debt-statute-of-limitations/): Every province in Canada puts a time limit on how long a creditor can sue you for an unpaid debt. Once that deadline passes, the debt becomes "statute-barred." The creditor can still chase you for the money, but if they file a lawsuit, you can raise the expired limitation period as a defence and the court will dismiss it. The window ranges from two years in most provinces to six years in a handful of others. The clock starts from the date of your last payment or the date you last acknowledged the debt. A payment or acknowledgment made while the clock is still running resets it. One made after the clock has expired does not.
- [What are the Pros and Cons of a Consumer Proposal?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/consumer-proposal-pros-and-cons/): A consumer proposal lets you repay part of your unsecured debt over up to five years while keeping your assets. Your payments are fixed based on what you can afford, and creditors cannot contact you or garnish your wages once the proposal is approved. The arrangement stays on your credit report for three years after completion or six years after filing, whichever comes first. Consumer proposals only deal with unsecured debts like credit cards, personal loans, and tax debt. Secured debts, student loans under seven years old, and court fines are excluded. Your creditors must approve the proposal before it takes effect.
- [Free Canadian Government Grants To Pay Off Debt](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/free-canadian-government-grants-to-pay-off-debt/): There are no free Canadian government grants to pay off personal debt. No program hands you money to clear credit card balances, lines of credit or payday loans. What the federal government does provide is a legal framework for debt relief through the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Consumer proposals and bankruptcy are the two formal options, and both are administered by Licensed Insolvency Trustees. If you have student loans, the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness program and the Repayment Assistance Plan are real government programs worth looking at, but they only apply to federal student debt. Any company advertising "government debt relief grants" is either misleading you or charging fees for something you can get directly from a Licensed Insolvency Trustee for free.
- [How Much Does a Consumer Proposal Cost?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/how-much-does-consumer-proposal-cost/): A consumer proposal has no upfront fees, no application fees, and no filing fees. Your Licensed Insolvency Trustee is paid directly from your monthly payments through a government-set tariff, not on top of them. Your monthly consumer proposal payment is fixed from start to finish. If your income goes up, your payment stays the same. If your income drops, your trustee can file an amendment to lower the payment or extend the term. The total amount you repay depends on your income, your assets, what you would pay in bankruptcy, and what creditors will accept. Most consumer proposals last up to five years. You can pay off a consumer proposal early with no penalty. Two mandatory credit counselling sessions are included in the cost at no extra charge.
- [How Does Bankruptcy Affect Your Spouse in Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/how-does-bankruptcy-affect-spouse/): Your bankruptcy is yours alone. If the debts are in your name, your spouse's credit score and assets are not touched. The only time your spouse gets pulled in is if you have joint debts or they co-signed on something included in your bankruptcy. In those cases, your spouse is responsible for the full amount even after you file. If you own a home together, only your share of the equity is considered. Provincial exemptions vary. As of 2025, Ontario exempts $10,783, British Columbia exempts $12,000 in Metro Vancouver and the Capital Regional District (or $9,000 elsewhere in the province), and Alberta exempts $40,000 in home equity from seizure. Your spouse's income counts toward your household surplus income calculation, which can extend your bankruptcy term and increase your payments even though your spouse is not filing. A first bankruptcy stays on your credit report for six to seven years after discharge. A second stays for 14 years.
- [Debt Consolidation vs Consumer Proposal](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/debt-consolidation-vs-consumer-proposal/): A debt consolidation loan combines multiple debts into one payment with a single interest rate, but you still repay every dollar you owe. A consumer proposal is a legal agreement where you repay a portion of your debt and your creditors forgive the rest. Consolidation works if you have decent credit and enough income to handle the new loan payments. If your credit is already damaged or you owe more than you can realistically pay back, a consumer proposal is the more sensible route. A consumer proposal gives you legal protection from creditors the day you file. A debt consolidation loan does not. If creditors are already garnishing your wages or threatening lawsuits, that difference matters. The right choice depends on how much you owe, what you can afford each month, and whether you need protection from collection action. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee can walk you through both options at no cost.
- [Debt Consolidation vs Bankruptcy in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/debt-consolidation-vs-bankruptcy/): Debt consolidation combines multiple debts into one loan at a lower interest rate. You still repay the full amount you owe, but you make one monthly payment instead of several. Bankruptcy is a legal process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act that discharges most unsecured debts. It wipes out what you owe, but it affects your credit for six to seven years and you lose non-exempt assets. The right choice depends on whether you can afford to repay your debts over time or whether you are insolvent and need legal protection from creditors. If you qualify for a consolidation loan at a lower rate and can handle the payments, consolidation is the simpler option. If you owe more than you can repay, bankruptcy gives you a legal way to start fresh.
- [How Long Does a Consumer Proposal Last?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/how-long-does-consumer-proposal-last/): A consumer proposal lasts anywhere from 60 days to five years. The five-year cap is a hard limit under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Most consumer proposals run three to four years depending on how much you owe and what you can afford to pay each month. Your payments are fixed from start to finish, and no interest accrues once the consumer proposal is filed. You can pay it off early with a lump sum at any time without penalty. A consumer proposal stays on your credit report for three years after your final payment or six years from the filing date, whichever comes first. Finishing early starts that three-year clock sooner.
- [What Can You Not Do After Filing Bankruptcy?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/what-can-you-not-do-after-filing-bankruptcy/): After you file bankruptcy in Canada, your Licensed Insolvency Trustee takes control of your non-exempt assets and financial affairs. You surrender your credit cards, report your monthly income and expenses, and attend two credit counselling sessions before discharge. You cannot obtain credit over $1,000 without telling the lender you are bankrupt. If your income exceeds the government threshold by $200 or more per month, you pay surplus income to your trustee, and your bankruptcy is extended by 12 months. Most people keep their home, their car, and their household belongings as long as these fall within provincial exemption limits. In Ontario, the vehicle exemption is $7,117 and the home equity exemption is $10,783. The Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act does not restrict your travel, but you must remain available to fulfill your bankruptcy duties. Your bankruptcy stays on your credit report for six to seven years after discharge, depending on the credit bureau and province.
- [How Long Does a Consumer Proposal Stay on Your Credit Report?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/consumer-proposal-credit-report/): A consumer proposal stays on your credit report for three years after you pay it off or six years from the date you signed it, whichever comes first. Both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada follow the same timeline. Your credit rating drops to R7 while the consumer proposal is on your report. That sits between R1 (paying as agreed) and R9 (bankruptcy or bad debt written off). It tells lenders you settled your debt through a formal arrangement. You can start rebuilding your credit before the consumer proposal comes off your report. A secured credit card and consistent on-time payments are the fastest way to get your score moving in the right direction.
- [How Long Does Bankruptcy Last?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/how-long-does-bankruptcy-last/): A first bankruptcy in Canada lasts 9 months if you have no surplus income, or 21 months if you do. A second bankruptcy takes 24 to 36 months depending on your income. A third bankruptcy has no automatic discharge and requires a court hearing. Surplus income is the amount your household earns above a threshold set by the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy. If you exceed the threshold by more than $200 per month, your bankruptcy lasts longer and costs more. Missing duties like monthly income reports, counselling sessions, or surplus income payments delays your discharge. Completing everything on time is the fastest way through the process. If you have steady income or assets you want to keep, a consumer proposal is an alternative to bankruptcy that gives you fixed payments for up to five years with no surplus income rules.
- [What Assets Can I Keep in Bankruptcy in Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/assets-keep-bankruptcy-canada/): Bankruptcy exemptions in Canada protect essential assets from seizure when you file for personal bankruptcy. You do not lose everything. Bankruptcy exemptions are set by two layers of law: the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act protects RRSPs, RRIFs, RDSPs, and certain government payments across all provinces, while provincial legislation sets dollar-value limits on your home equity, vehicle, household furnishings, tools of trade, and clothing. Exemption amounts vary widely by province. Saskatchewan protects up to $50,000 in home equity while Manitoba protects only $2,500. The system is designed to leave you with enough to maintain a basic standard of living and earn a living going forward. If your assets exceed provincial limits, a consumer proposal lets you keep everything while repaying a portion of your debts. Talk to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee to find out exactly what you keep based on where you live.
- [Consumer Proposal vs Bankruptcy](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/consumer-proposal-vs-bankruptcy/): A consumer proposal and bankruptcy are the only two government-regulated debt relief options in Canada that provide legal protection from creditors. Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can file either one. A consumer proposal is the better fit if you have steady income and assets worth protecting. Your payments are fixed, your assets stay yours, and your credit recovers faster. Bankruptcy works better if you have little or no income, few assets, and need the quickest path out of debt. In 2025, 140,457 Canadians filed for consumer insolvency, the highest annual volume since 2009. Nearly four out of five chose a consumer proposal over bankruptcy. Both options stop collection calls, freeze interest, and halt wage garnishments the day you file. The right choice depends on your income, your assets, and how much you owe.
- [What Are the Alternatives to Bankruptcy in Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/bankruptcy-alternatives/): Alternatives to bankruptcy in Canada include consumer proposals, debt consolidation loans, debt management plans, informal debt settlement, and the Orderly Payment of Debts program. The right alternative depends on how much you owe, whether you have steady income, and whether you need legal protection from creditors. A consumer proposal is the most common formal alternative, chosen by roughly eight in ten Canadians who file for insolvency relief. But a consumer proposal is not the only option. Depending on your situation, a consolidation loan or a credit counselling program gets the job done without involving the courts at all. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee can assess every option during a free consultation and is required by law to discuss alternatives before recommending bankruptcy.
- [Can You File Bankruptcy Twice in Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/file-bankruptcy-twice/): There is no legal limit on how many times you can file bankruptcy in Canada, but you need a discharge from the previous one before you can file again. A second bankruptcy lasts at least 24 months (36 with surplus income), costs a minimum of $4,800, and requires court approval for discharge. A first bankruptcy takes 9 months. A second bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 14 years with both Equifax and TransUnion, compared to 6 to 7 years for a first bankruptcy.
- [What Happens When You Declare Bankruptcy in Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/what-happens-when-you-declare-bankruptcy/): Personal bankruptcy in Canada is a federal legal process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, and only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can file the paperwork. The moment bankruptcy is filed, a stay of proceedings stops all creditor actions against you, including lawsuits, wage garnishments, and collection calls. You surrender non-exempt assets and, if your income exceeds government thresholds by more than $200 per month, make surplus income payments for 9 to 21 months on a first bankruptcy. Each province sets its own rules about which assets you keep. You attend two mandatory financial counselling sessions and report your monthly income to your trustee. Upon discharge, most unsecured debts are eliminated, though child support, alimony, court fines, and student loans less than seven years old survive. A first bankruptcy stays on your credit report for six to seven years after discharge.
- [How Soon After Bankruptcy Can I Get a Mortgage?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/how-soon-after-bankruptcy-mortgage/): You can get a mortgage after bankruptcy in Canada, but how soon depends on which type of lender you approach. Traditional lenders require at least two years from your discharge date. Subprime lenders consider applications three to 12 months after discharge, and private lenders can approve you as early as one day after discharge. Your credit score and down payment matter more than waiting time alone. CMHC-insured mortgages require a minimum credit score of 680, while private lenders focus on your down payment and property equity rather than your credit history. Start rebuilding credit immediately after discharge. Get a secured credit card, make every payment on time, and build at least 12 months of clean credit history on two or more accounts. A first bankruptcy stays on your credit report for six to seven years after discharge, depending on the credit bureau and province. You do not need to wait for the bankruptcy to clear before applying.
- [Can a Consumer Proposal Include Student Loans?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/consumer-proposal-student-loans/): A consumer proposal can include government student loans, but only if seven years have passed since you stopped being a student. The seven-year rule is written into the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and applies to both consumer proposals and bankruptcies. If your student loan is less than seven years old, it stays separate from your consumer proposal. You keep paying it while you make your monthly proposal payments to your other creditors. Private student loans from banks are regular unsecured debt and can be included in a consumer proposal at any time. The seven-year rule only applies to government-funded student loans under the Canada Student Loans Act and provincial equivalents. The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is a federal program that reduces or eliminates your government student loan payments based on your income. Filing a consumer proposal for your other debts frees up room in your budget to keep up with student loan payments. In April 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that the seven-year clock starts from the last time you stopped being a student. If you went back to school, the clock resets.
- [What are the Ontario Debt Collection Laws?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/ontario-debt-collection-laws/): Ontario debt collectors must follow the Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act. The law applies to third-party collection agencies, not your original creditor's own collection department. Collectors must send you written notice and wait six days before calling to demand payment. They cannot call between 9pm and 7am Monday to Saturday, or on Sundays outside 1pm to 5pm. The Limitations Act, 2002 sets a two-year limitation period on most debts in Ontario. After two years with no payment or written acknowledgment, creditors cannot sue you to collect. The debt still exists and stays on your credit report for up to six years. If a collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.
- [How Long Can Debt Collectors Collect in Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/how-long-can-debt-collectors-collect/): Debt collectors in Canada can contact you indefinitely, but the limitation period removes their right to sue. That window is two to six years depending on your province. Any payment or written acknowledgement restarts the clock.
- [Can You Get a Mortgage With a Consumer Proposal?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/mortgage-with-consumer-proposal/): Yes, you can get a mortgage with a consumer proposal, but lenders treat you as higher risk. Your existing mortgage is not affected by filing a consumer proposal as long as you keep making payments. The consumer proposal only covers unsecured debt. During an active consumer proposal, most traditional lenders will not approve a new mortgage application. B lenders and private lenders are more flexible, but they charge 1% to 2% above standard bank rates and typically require at least 20% down. After your consumer proposal is complete, most lenders want to see at least two years of rebuilt credit history before they approve you. Both Equifax and TransUnion remove a consumer proposal from your credit report three years after your last payment or six years after filing, whichever comes first. CMHC-insured mortgages require a minimum credit score of 600. If you cannot reach that threshold after a consumer proposal, you will need 20% down and an uninsured mortgage through a B lender or private lender.
- [What is Metcredit?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/what-is-metcredit/): MetCredit is a Canadian collection agency that recovers consumer and commercial debt on behalf of creditors. If MetCredit contacts you, it means an unpaid account has been referred to them by an original creditor. You have the right to request written verification of any debt before making a payment or acknowledging that you owe it. Don't panic, but don't ignore it either.
- [What is Resolve Financial Recovery?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/what-is-resolve-financial-recovery/): Resolve Financial Recovery is a registered collection agency based in Mississauga, Ontario. Resolve Financial Recovery collects debts on behalf of creditors and also purchases delinquent accounts directly. If they have contacted you, you have rights under Ontario's Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act, including the right to request written verification before paying anything. If the debt is real and you cannot repay it, a consumer proposal or credit counselling through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee are both worth looking at.
- [What is the Credit Bureau of Canada Collections?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/what-is-credit-bureau-of-canada-collections/): Credit Bureau of Canada Collections is a debt collection agency, not a credit bureau. Credit Bureau of Canada Collections operates under the corporate name CollectCents Inc. and collects unpaid debts on behalf of creditors across Canada. The company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with offices in Quebec and British Columbia. It collects for creditors in telecommunications, utilities, municipal government, and financial services. If Credit Bureau of Canada Collections contacts you, request written verification of the debt before making any payment or acknowledging the account.

## Pages
- [Home](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/): All new content on Debt Relief Canada is written by Robert and our team of Licensed Insolvency Trustees. Our editorial policy ensures all content is fact-checked and reviewed by licensed professionals.
- [Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/debt-relief/): There are lots of debt relief options in Canada, including consumer proposals, bankruptcy, debt consolidation loans, debt management plans, debt settlement, and credit counselling. Only consumer proposals and bankruptcy are regulated by the federal government under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. A consumer proposal lets you repay part of your unsecured debt over up to five years. Your creditors forgive the rest. You keep your assets. As of October 2025, 78.6% of Canadians who file for insolvency choose a consumer proposal over bankruptcy. The right option depends on how much you owe, the type of debt, your income, and whether creditors are already taking action against you. A free consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is the best place to start.
- [What is a Consumer Proposal?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/consumer-proposal/): A consumer proposal is a legal agreement filed through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee that lets you settle unsecured debt for less than the full amount owed. It's governed by the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and is the most common form of insolvency filing in Canada. You make fixed monthly payments over up to five years, keep your assets, and stop collection calls the day you file. Unlike bankruptcy, your payments don't change if your income goes up. In the 12 months ending October 2025, over 139,000 Canadians filed for consumer insolvency, the highest volume since 2009. Nearly four in five of those filings are consumer proposals rather than bankruptcies. To qualify, you need to be a Canadian resident with unsecured debts between $1,000 and $250,000 (excluding your mortgage) and a regular income. Your initial consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is free.
- [How Does Bankruptcy Work in Canada?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/bankruptcy/): Personal bankruptcy is a legal process that eliminates most unsecured debts. You file through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, and creditors must stop all collection activity immediately. A first-time bankruptcy lasts 9 or 21 months, depending on your income. The minimum cost is usually $1,800 as of 2025, paid at roughly $200 per month. Bankruptcy eliminates credit cards, personal loans and most tax debts, but not child support, court fines, or student loans less than seven years old. Provincial and federal exemptions typically protect your clothing, household goods, one vehicle and most retirement savings from your bankruptcy.
- [How Does Debt Consolidation Work?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/debt-consolidation/): Debt consolidation combines multiple debts into a single loan with a single monthly payment, usually at a lower interest rate. As a result, more of each payment goes toward the principal. Most banks require a credit score of at least 680 to qualify for good rates, and the new rate should be lower than your current rate. If your credit is poor or your debt is too high, a consumer proposal, a legal agreement that reduces the total you owe, might be a better option.
- [What is Credit Counselling?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/credit-counselling/): Credit counselling in Canada is a professional service where certified counsellors help you deal with debt through budgeting guidance, financial education, and structured repayment programs. It is available through non-profit agencies accredited by Credit Counselling Canada or the Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment (CAFE). Your first consultation is free, confidential, and has no effect on your credit score. There is no commitment at this stage. If a Debt Management Plan (DMP) is the right fit, the agency negotiates with your creditors to reduce or eliminate interest while you make a single monthly payment over up to five years. You repay 100% of the principal. If your debts are too large for a DMP or your income is too low, the counsellor refers you to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee to discuss a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. A good counsellor explains all available options, not just one.
- [What is a Debt Management Plan?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/debt-management-plan/): A debt management plan is a repayment plan set up through a credit counselling agency that combines your unsecured debts into one monthly payment. The agency negotiates to reduce or eliminate interest charges, but you still repay 100% of what you owe, typically over three to five years.
- [What Is Orderly Payment of Debts?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/orderly-payment-of-debts/): Orderly Payment of Debts is a court-supervised repayment program under Part X of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. It consolidates your unsecured debts into one monthly payment at a fixed 5% interest rate, and you repay everything you owe. The program is only available in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. A provincial administrator applies to the court for a Consolidation Order on your behalf, which stops most creditor collection actions. You repay your debts in full over three to five years and keep your assets. The program shows as an R7 on your credit report, which Equifax removes three years after completion or six years from the date filed, whichever comes first. For most people who qualify, a consumer proposal is the cheaper option because you pay back less. OPD makes more sense when the debt is small enough that full repayment at 5% interest costs less than a consumer proposal.
- [What Is Informal Debt Settlement?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/debt-settlement/): Debt settlement means paying creditors less than you owe through a negotiated lump sum. Fewer than 10% of informal arrangements succeed because creditors are not required to negotiate. Debt settlement companies charge fees and often advise you to stop making payments, which can damage your credit score and trigger legal action. A consumer proposal is the formal alternative. Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can file one, and it provides immediate legal protection from creditors. Its success rate is over 99%.
- [What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/what-is-a-licensed-insolvency-trustee/): A Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) is a federally regulated professional who helps Canadians resolve serious debt problems. LITs are the only professionals in Canada authorized to file government legislated insolvency proceedings, such as consumer proposals and bankruptcies, on your behalf. The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy licenses all trustees and holds them to strict professional standards. Your first consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to proceed.
- [What is Debt Forgiveness?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/what-is-debt-forgiveness/): Debt forgiveness is when a creditor agrees to cancel all or part of what you owe. The two main programs in Canada are consumer proposals and bankruptcy, both administered by a Licensed Insolvency Trustee under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. There are no government grants that simply clear your debt. Student loans can be forgiven through a consumer proposal or bankruptcy, but only if you've been out of school for at least seven years. Separate federal and provincial programs also offer loan forgiveness for specific professions. Debt forgiveness affects your credit, but you can rebuild. A consumer proposal stays on your credit report for three years after completion or six years from filing, whichever comes first.
- [Credit Card Debt Forgiveness Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/credit-card-debt-forgiveness/): Credit card debt can be forgiven through a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. There's no quick fix. A consumer proposal can cut your debt by up to 80% while avoiding bankruptcy and protecting your assets. Bankruptcy wipes out most debts but damages your credit, and you may lose your assets. Other options, like debt consolidation or management plans, can help manage payments but don't reduce what you owe.
- [How to Deal with a Debt Collection Agency](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/debt-collection/): Receiving calls from a debt collector is stressful, but you are protected under Canada's debt collection laws. Collection agencies must follow strict rules about when and how they contact you. They cannot harass you, threaten you with jail or take money from your wages without a court order. In most provinces, they have only two years to sue you for an unpaid debt. If collectors are contacting you, verify that the debt is yours, request everything in writing, and know that you have options if you genuinely can't pay.
- [About](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/about/): DebtReliefCanada.com is operated by Moses Advisory Group, Licensed Insolvency Trustees helping individuals and families across Canada deal with unmanageable debt.
- [James Moses](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/about/james-moses/): James Moses is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and the founder of Moses Advisory Group.
- [Roselyn Doctolero](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/about/roselyn-doctolero/): Roselyn Doctolero is an Insolvency Administrator Associate with Moses Advisory Group and a contributor at DebtReliefCanada.com. She has been with the firm for over seven years.
- [Kathleen Jacob](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/about/kathleen-jacob/): Kathleen Jacob is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee with Moses Advisory Group and a content reviewer at DebtReliefCanada.com.
- [Robert Johnson](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/about/robert-johnson/): Robert Johnson
- [What Types of Debt Do Canadians Struggle With Most?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/): Consumer proposals and bankruptcies only eliminate unsecured debt. Secured debts like mortgages and car loans are handled separately. Most common debts, including credit cards, personal loans, payday loans, tax debt, and medical bills, can be fully included. Student loans can only be included if you've been out of school for at least seven years. Some debts can never be discharged. Child support, spousal support, court fines, and fraud-related debts survive both consumer proposals and bankruptcy.
- [Credit Card Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/credit-card-debt/): Credit card debt in Canada is at record highs. As of Q4 2024, the average Canadian carries $4,681 in credit card debt, and 54% of Canadians are carrying a balance. You don't need to be on the brink of bankruptcy to get help. Options range from budgeting and balance transfers to debt consolidation loans, credit counselling and consumer proposals. If your debt is too large to manage on your own, a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can file a consumer proposal or bankruptcy on your behalf. These are the only federally regulated professionals authorized to do so. Money is the number one source of stress for Canadians, ahead of health, relationships and work. If credit card debt is affecting your sleep or your relationships, that is a sign to act.
- [Student Loan Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/student-loan-debt/): Federal student loans in Canada have been interest-free since April 2023, though provincial loans may still carry interest. If you miss payments for nine months, the federal portion goes to the CRA for collection, and the CRA can garnish wages and withhold tax refunds without a court order. Government student loans can be discharged through a consumer proposal or bankruptcy if at least seven years have passed since you were last a student. The 2025 Supreme Court ruling in Piekut confirmed that any return to school resets the seven-year clock, even if you paid for it yourself. Private student loans like lines of credit have no waiting period and can be included at any time. If you're struggling with payments, apply for the Repayment Assistance Plan first. If that's not enough, talk to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.
- [Medical Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/medical-debt/): Medical debt in Canada is money owed for health costs your provincial plan doesn't cover, like prescriptions, dental care, and physiotherapy. The average household spends $3,087 a year on these costs. On its own, medical debt rarely causes insolvency. The real danger comes when illness also cuts your income, and uncovered health costs pile on top of bills you can no longer afford. A consumer proposal or bankruptcy can eliminate the debt.
- [Cell Phone Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/cellphone-debt/): Cell phone debt is unsecured debt. If you fall behind, your provider can send the balance to collections, and that mark stays on your credit report for up to seven years. You have options, and most of them start with a free conversation.
- [Payday Loan Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/payday-loan-debt/): Payday loans cost roughly 365% APR, even after the January 2025 federal cap of $14 per $100. Over 60% of borrowers take out multiple loans within three years. If you are borrowing every pay period, that is a debt problem. A consumer proposal covers payday loans, fixes your payments, and a free consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee shows you where you stand.
- [Mortgage Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/mortgage-debt/): Mortgage debt makes up 75% of all household debt in Canada. About 60% of mortgages renewing in 2025 and 2026 will come with higher payments, and five-year fixed-rate holders face increases of 15% to 20%. If you are falling behind, talk to your lender before it becomes a default. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee can help you understand your options in a free consultation.
- [Car Loan Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/car-loan-debt/): Car loan debt is a growing problem in Canada, with the average new auto loan now sitting at $35,586. Longer terms of seven or eight years keep monthly payments low but leave you owing more than the car is worth for years. If you are using credit cards to cover other bills because the car payment comes first, that is a sign the debt is unmanageable.
- [Line of Credit Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/line-of-credit-debt/): Line of credit debt is one of the most common types of unsecured debt in Canada, and it is one of the hardest to pay off. Because the minimum payment covers only the interest, you can pay for years without reducing the balance. If your personal line of credit is unsecured, a consumer proposal reduces the total amount owed, stops interest charges, and replaces your payments with a single fixed monthly amount over up to five years. A home equity line of credit is secured against your property and follows different rules.
- [Utility Bill Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/utility-bills-debt/): Utility bill debt relief in Canada comes through provincial assistance programs, utility company payment plans, nonprofit credit counselling, and federally regulated insolvency options. Every province has winter disconnection protection, so your power and gas stay on during the coldest months. Bills and late fees still accumulate during the ban. Start by calling your provider to set up an arrears payment plan, then check whether you qualify for emergency grants like Ontario's LEAP. This costs nothing and keeps your account out of collections. If utility debt is part of a larger debt problem, a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can file a consumer proposal that reduces your total unsecured debt and stops collections. Acting before disconnection gives you the most options and the lowest cost.
- [CRA Debt Relief in Canada](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/cra-debt/): CRA debt relief comes down to four options: a payment arrangement with the CRA, a taxpayer relief application to cancel penalties and interest, a consumer proposal, or bankruptcy. The Canada Revenue Agency doesn't negotiate directly to reduce the amount of tax you owe. The only way to settle CRA debt for less than the full amount is through a consumer proposal or bankruptcy filed by a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, and acting before the CRA garnishes your wages or freezes your account makes every option easier to use.
- [What is Secured Debt?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/secured-debt/): Secured debt is a loan backed by an asset like your home or car. If you stop paying, the lender can seize that asset to recover what you owe. Most Canadians carry secured debt through mortgages and car loans. The main risk is losing the asset if you fall behind on payments. Knowing the difference between secured and unsecured debt matters when you borrow and when you look for debt relief. Some solutions handle unsecured debt but not secured debt. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee can review your situation and explain what applies to you.
- [What is Unsecured Debt?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/types-of-debt/unsecured-debt/): Unsecured debt is money you owe without any asset backing the loan. Credit cards, payday loans, utility bills, medical bills, and student loans all fall into this category. If you default on unsecured debt, creditors cannot automatically seize your property. They have to sue you first, win a judgment, and then enforce it through wage garnishment or a lien. Unsecured debts carry higher interest rates than secured debts because the lender has no collateral to recover if you stop paying. Most Canadian consumer insolvencies involve unsecured debt. A consumer proposal or bankruptcy can deal with most of it, though some debts like recent student loans and child support survive both.
- [Education](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/blog/)
- [Contact us](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/contact-us/): DebtReliefCanada.com is operated by Moses Advisory Group, a Licensed Insolvency Trustee regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy.
- [Debt Relief Ontario](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/ontario/): If you're struggling with debt in Ontario, there are legal ways to reduce what you owe, stop collection calls and get a fresh start.
- [Filing a Consumer Proposal in Ontario](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/ontario/consumer-proposal/): A consumer proposal is a legal agreement under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act that lets you repay part of your unsecured debt over up to five years. Your creditors forgive the rest. You keep your assets, interest stops the day you file, and collection calls and wage garnishments end. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee files it on your behalf, and creditors have 45 days to accept or reject it. A consumer proposal stays on your credit report for three years after completion or six years after filing, whichever comes first.
- [How to File Bankruptcy in Ontario](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/ontario/bankruptcy/): Personal bankruptcy is a legal process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act that eliminates most unsecured debt. Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can file it on your behalf. A first-time bankruptcy with no surplus income lasts nine months. If your income exceeds the government threshold by more than $200 per month, the bankruptcy extends to 21 months and you pay 50% of the surplus. Ontario's asset exemptions are set by the provincial Execution Act. You can keep your home only if the equity is below $10,783. If equity exceeds that amount, the entire equity is exposed to seizure, not just the excess. Your vehicle is protected up to $7,117 in equity. Bankruptcy gives you an R9 credit rating, the lowest possible. It stays on your credit report for six years after discharge for a first bankruptcy.
- [Debt Consolidation in Ontario](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/ontario/debt-consolidation/): Debt consolidation combines multiple debts into a single loan with a single monthly payment, usually at a lower interest rate. As a result, more of each payment goes toward the principal. Most banks require a credit score of at least 680 to qualify for good rates, and the new rate should be lower than your current rate. If your credit is poor or your debt is too high, a consumer proposal, a legal agreement that reduces the total you owe, might be a better option.
- [What is Credit Counselling in Ontario?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/ontario/credit-counselling/): Credit counselling in Ontario is a professional financial service that helps you manage debt through budgeting guidance, financial education, and structured repayment plans. It is available through non-profit agencies accredited by recognised national and provincial bodies. Your first consultation with a certified credit counsellor is free and confidential. Speaking with a counsellor does not affect your credit score. If a Debt Management Plan is appropriate, the agency negotiates with your creditors to reduce or eliminate interest while you make a single monthly payment over a maximum of five years. You repay 100% of the principal. Ontario residents should confirm that any agency they contact is a member of Credit Counselling Canada or the Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment (CAFE), and that counsellors are not paid on commission.
- [Debt Relief British Columbia](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/british-columbia/): If you're struggling with debt in British Columbia, there are legal ways to reduce what you owe, stop collection calls and get a fresh start.
- [Filing a Consumer Proposal in British Columbia](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/british-columbia/consumer-proposal/): A consumer proposal is a legal agreement under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act that lets you repay part of your unsecured debt over up to five years. Your creditors forgive the rest. It is available to British Columbia residents who owe between $1,000 and $250,000 in unsecured debt, not counting a mortgage on your home. You keep your assets, interest stops the day you file, and collection calls and wage garnishments end. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee files it on your behalf, and creditors have 45 days to accept or reject it. A consumer proposal stays on your credit report for three years after completion or six years after filing, whichever comes first.
- [How to File Bankruptcy in British Columbia](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/british-columbia/bankruptcy/): Personal bankruptcy is a legal process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act that eliminates most unsecured debt. Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can file it on your behalf. A first-time bankruptcy with no surplus income lasts nine months. If your income exceeds the government threshold by more than $200 per month, the bankruptcy extends to 21 months and you pay 50% of the surplus. British Columbia's asset exemptions are set by the provincial Court Order Enforcement Act. You can keep up to $12,000 in home equity if you live in Greater Vancouver or Victoria, or $9,000 elsewhere in the province. In a market where even a modest condo carries six figures in equity, that threshold protects almost no one. Bankruptcy gives you an R9 credit rating, the lowest possible. It stays on your credit report for six years after discharge for a first bankruptcy.
- [Debt Consolidation in British Columbia](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/british-columbia/debt-consolidation/): Debt consolidation combines multiple debts into one loan with a single monthly payment, usually at a lower interest rate. More of each payment goes toward the principal instead of interest. Most banks require a credit score of at least 680 for competitive rates. If your credit is poor or your total debt is too high, a consumer proposal, which is a legal agreement that reduces the total amount you owe, is worth looking at. BC had the highest year-over-year increase in consumer insolvencies of any province in 2025, up 10.6%. Rising mortgage renewals and the cost of housing are pushing more British Columbians past the point where consolidation alone can fix the problem.
- [What is Credit Counselling in British Columbia?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/british-columbia/credit-counselling/): Credit counselling in British Columbia is a professional service where certified counsellors at non-profit agencies help you manage unsecured debt through budgeting guidance, financial education, and structured repayment programs. Your first session with a credit counsellor is free, confidential, and has no effect on your credit score. There is no obligation to proceed. The main program offered through credit counselling is a Debt Management Plan (DMP). Your creditors agree to reduce or eliminate interest, and you make a single monthly payment over up to five years. You repay the full principal. Always verify that any credit counselling agency you contact in BC is a member of Credit Counselling Canada or the Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment (CAFE). Counsellors should not be paid on commission.
- [Debt Relief Alberta](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/alberta/): If you're struggling with debt in Alberta, there are legal ways to reduce what you owe, stop collection calls and get a fresh start.
- [Filing a Consumer Proposal in Alberta](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/alberta/consumer-proposal/): A consumer proposal is a legal agreement under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act that lets you repay part of your unsecured debt over up to five years. Your creditors forgive the rest. It is available to Alberta residents who owe between $1,000 and $250,000 in unsecured debt, not counting a mortgage on your home. You keep your assets, interest stops the day you file, and collection calls and wage garnishments end. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee files it on your behalf, and creditors have 45 days to accept or reject it. A consumer proposal stays on your credit report for three years after completion or six years after filing, whichever comes first.
- [How to File Bankruptcy in Alberta](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/alberta/bankruptcy/): Personal bankruptcy is a legal process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act that eliminates most unsecured debt. Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can file it on your behalf. A first-time bankruptcy with no surplus income lasts nine months. If your income exceeds the government threshold by more than $200 per month, the bankruptcy extends to 21 months and you pay 50% of the surplus. Alberta's asset exemptions are set by the provincial Civil Enforcement Act and are among the most generous in Canada. You can keep up to $40,000 in home equity, one vehicle worth up to $5,000, and your RRSPs and RRIFs are protected except for contributions made in the 12 months before filing. Bankruptcy gives you an R9 credit rating, the lowest possible. It stays on your credit report for six years after discharge for a first bankruptcy.
- [Debt Forgiveness in Alberta](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/alberta/debt-forgiveness/): Debt forgiveness in Alberta means a creditor agrees to cancel part or all of what you owe. The only formal, legally binding debt forgiveness program in Canada is a consumer proposal. Other debt relief options, such as debt management plans, credit counselling, and debt settlement, do not include debt forgiveness. They restructure what you owe or negotiate a reduced lump sum, but they are not backed by the same legal protections. A consumer proposal results in an R7 notation on your credit report. That notation is removed three years after you complete the proposal or six years after filing, whichever comes first. Alberta has the highest consumer insolvency rate in Canada. If your debts have become unmanageable, a free consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is the best place to start.
- [Debt Consolidation in Alberta](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/alberta/debt-consolidation/): Debt consolidation rolls multiple debts into one loan with a single monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. More of your money goes toward paying down the principal instead of interest. Banks typically require a credit score of 680 or higher for the best consolidation loan rates. If your credit is poor or your debt load is too high relative to your income, a consumer proposal, which legally reduces the total amount you owe, is a better option. Alberta has the second-highest average non-mortgage consumer debt of any province in Canada. Auto loans and the cost of running a vehicle are major contributors. A consolidation loan helps if you have the credit to qualify, but it does not reduce what you owe.
- [What is Credit Counselling in Alberta?](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/alberta/credit-counselling/): Credit counselling in Alberta is a service offered by certified counsellors at non-profit agencies. It includes budgeting advice, financial education, and structured repayment programs for people falling behind on unsecured debts. A first appointment with a certified credit counsellor is free and confidential. It does not affect your credit score. If your debts are manageable with interest relief, your counsellor sets up a Debt Management Plan (DMP) where you make one monthly payment over up to five years and repay 100% of the principal. If your debts are too high for a DMP, the counsellor refers you to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. Before signing up with any agency in Alberta, confirm it is a member of Credit Counselling Canada or the Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment (CAFE), and that its counsellors are not paid on commission.
- [Resources](https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/resources/): These resource pages cover the situations we hear about most, with practical information you can actually use.