Understand your debt. Know your options. Move forward with confidence.
Confidential credit counselling and debt advisory services for individuals, families and businesses across Ontario. When debt becomes difficult to manage, understanding your options is the first step toward taking back control.
Professional experience. Practical guidance. No judgment.
Debt can be complicated. Your advice shouldn't be.
Whether you're dealing with credit-card balances, personal loans, tax obligations, lines of credit or business debt, we help you see the whole picture before you decide anything.
We help you understand:
- What is causing your financial pressure
- Which debts require immediate attention
- What options may be available
- How each option could affect your finances and credit
- What steps you can take to improve your financial position
Guidance for individuals, families and business owners
Personal Debt Counselling
Personalized guidance for people dealing with:
- Credit-card debt
- Lines of credit
- Personal loans
- Payday loans
- Tax debt
- Student-related debt
- Overdue accounts and collections
- Other unsecured obligations
Credit Counselling
We help you understand your credit profile, borrowing patterns, debt obligations and financial priorities. Counselling may include:
- Credit review and education
- Debt-management planning
- Budget development
- Cash-flow analysis
- Debt repayment strategies
- Credit improvement guidance
- Financial goal planning
Business Debt Advisory
Business owners often carry a mix of personal and corporate obligations. We help you understand your position and evaluate practical next steps.
One financial problem can have several possible solutions
Depending on your circumstances, we can help you understand options such as these.
Debt Repayment Planning
Developing a structured strategy to reduce outstanding debt.
We can help directlyDebt Consolidation
Understanding whether combining multiple obligations may improve manageability.
We can help directlyDebt Settlement Considerations
Reviewing potential options where appropriate.
We can help directlyConsumer Proposal Information
Helping you understand the process and decide whether to explore it with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.
Education · filed by a TrusteeBankruptcy Information
Education about the process, and the questions you should ask a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.
Education · filed by a TrusteeNot sure where you fit?
Most people don't know which option suits them before an assessment. That's what the first conversation is for.
Book a consultation →Formal insolvency proceedings, including consumer proposals and bankruptcies, are administered by Licensed Insolvency Trustees. We provide education and guidance about these processes and, where one may be right for you, help you prepare and connect with the appropriate professional.
Financial pressure doesn't have to mean the end of your business
Business owners can face a unique combination of personal and corporate financial obligations. We help you understand your financial position and evaluate practical next steps.
Protect the business. Understand the numbers. Plan the next step.
- Business debt assessment
- Commercial credit review
- Business cash-flow analysis
- Tax-debt considerations
- Corporate debt planning
- Creditor-management strategies
- Business restructuring considerations
- Personal guarantees and their implications
- Referral to appropriate specialists where required
There is no one-size-fits-all debt solution
Two people may owe the same amount but need completely different strategies. Your income, assets, family circumstances, credit history, tax obligations, employment or business situation and ability to make payments all affect the options available to you.
- Understand
We listen to your situation and collect the relevant financial information.
- Assess
We review your income, expenses, assets, liabilities and financial priorities.
- Explain
We explain the potential options in straightforward language.
- Plan
Where appropriate, we help you develop a practical strategy.
- Move forward
We help you understand the next steps and, where necessary, connect you with the appropriate regulated professional.
That's why we start with an assessment, not a recommendation.
Professional experience. Personal attention.
With extensive experience in credit, financial services, debt advisory and insolvency counselling, our practice is built around one principle:
People deserve to understand their financial options before making important financial decisions.
Our experience includes credit risk assessment, financial analysis, credit management, debt counselling, taxation and financial advisory services.
Effective debt counselling takes more than looking at numbers. It means listening, understanding the circumstances behind the debt, and helping clients make informed decisions.
Credentials & experience
- Certified Credit Professional (CCP)
- Credit Institute of Canada
- Qualified Insolvency Counsellor
- Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP)
- Formerly Registered Insolvency Counsellor
- Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy
- Financial services experience
- Credit authorization, risk assessment, commercial financial analysis and financial services
Common questions
General information only. Your options depend on your own circumstances, which is what a consultation is for.
Getting started
How do I know if I have too much debt?
Common warning signs include relying on credit to cover everyday expenses, only making minimum payments, balances that don't go down, missed payments, or calls from collection agencies. If any of these sound familiar, it's a good time to review your situation.
What happens if I cannot afford my monthly debt payments?
Contact us before missed payments pile up. The earlier you understand your options, the more choices you usually have, from adjusting your budget and repayment plan to exploring formal options with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.
Will debt counselling affect my credit?
Speaking with a counsellor, reviewing your credit or building a budget does not appear on your credit report. Some debt solutions, such as a debt management plan, a consumer proposal or bankruptcy, are noted on your credit file. We explain how each option could affect your credit before you decide.
How much does debt counselling cost?
We'll talk through any fees during your first conversation, before any work begins, so you know exactly what to expect.
Is my consultation confidential?
Yes. Everything you share with us is kept confidential.
Understanding your options
Should I consolidate my debts?
Consolidation can simplify payments and sometimes lower your interest rate, but it doesn't reduce what you owe and it usually requires qualifying for new credit. Whether it makes sense depends on your income, credit and spending. We can help you compare it with other options.
What is the difference between debt consolidation and a consumer proposal?
Consolidation replaces several debts with one new loan, and you repay the full amount. A consumer proposal is a formal legal process, filed through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, in which you offer creditors repayment of a portion of what you owe. If accepted, it is binding and generally stops interest and collection action on the included debts.
What is a consumer proposal?
A consumer proposal is a legally binding agreement, filed through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, to repay creditors part of what you owe over up to five years. It is available when your total debts, excluding a mortgage on your home, are $250,000 or less.
How does bankruptcy work in Ontario?
Bankruptcy in Canada is a federal legal process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, administered by a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. A first-time bankruptcy with no surplus income is typically discharged after nine months, and it includes required financial counselling sessions. We can explain the process and help you prepare questions for a Trustee.
Do I need to speak with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee?
Only if a formal proceeding such as a consumer proposal or bankruptcy may be right for you, since only a Trustee can file one. Many people don't need a formal proceeding at all. If you do, we'll help you understand the process first and connect you with a Trustee.
Home, tax and business
Can tax debt be included in a debt solution?
Often, yes. Personal tax debt owed to the Canada Revenue Agency can generally be included in a consumer proposal or bankruptcy, and there may also be ways to arrange repayment directly. We can help you understand which route fits your situation.
What happens if I am behind on my mortgage?
A mortgage is secured debt, so falling behind can put your home at risk. Speak with your lender early. Reducing pressure from unsecured debts can sometimes free up money to keep mortgage payments current, and we can help you look at that.
Can I keep my house if I have significant unsecured debt?
In many cases, yes. With a consumer proposal, you can generally keep your home as long as you continue your mortgage payments. In a bankruptcy, equity in your home may be at risk. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee can confirm how the rules apply to you.
Can business owners receive debt counselling?
Yes. We work with business owners on business debt assessment, cash flow, tax obligations, personal guarantees and restructuring considerations, and refer to other specialists where required.
Let's start with a conversation
You don't need to have all the answers before contacting us. During an initial consultation, we can discuss:
- Your current debt situation
- Your income and expenses
- Your financial concerns
- Your short- and long-term goals
- Potential options
- Questions to ask before choosing a debt solution
Confidential. Professional. No judgment.
Choose a time that suits you from the online calendar.
Book a time online