PROVINCE GUIDE

Debt relief in Ontario: local rules and next steps

Start with the type of debt and the stage it has reached. Ontario has local rules that need to be considered alongside national debt options. This is general information, not a decision about your eligibility.

  1. 01Name the pressure
  2. 02Compare the routes
  3. 03Check the trade-offs
  4. 04Prepare your questions
  5. 05Take the next step
Hands organizing a simple household budget beside a calculator and a small stack of papers
Start with one billPick the bill that feels hardest today. Then take one step at a time.

IN PLAIN WORDS

Start with the bill you cannot pay. A debt counsellor can help you look at your budget and payment choices.

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PART 01

Wage protection is not the same as a debt write-off

Start with the bill that is hard to pay.

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Wage protection is not the same as a debt write-off

Ontario’s Wages Act sets a general 80% wage exemption from seizure or garnishment, with different treatment for support and the possibility of a judge changing the exemption. Do not apply a generic calculator to every debt or income source. Bring the order, creditor type and income details to a qualified adviser.

PART 02

Is it allowed where you live?

Check the rules and licence where you live.

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Check Ontario payday-lender licensing

Ontario payday lenders and brokers must be licensed. Check the current provincial rules and the actual agreement before borrowing; a licensed lender is not a guarantee that a loan is affordable. Refinancing a short-term balance is a different question from resolving existing payment trouble.

PART 03

What should you ask?

See what to have ready and what to ask.

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Before choosing help in Ontario

Separate an urgent court deadline from a general request for repayment guidance. Bring the original notice and agreement, not just a monthly balance. Ask which rules apply to your creditor and whether the professional can advise on the specific procedure involved.

What to have ready

  • List creditors and whether each debt is secured.
  • Keep any court or collection notices and their deadlines.
  • Prepare income, essential expenses and current payment commitments.
  • Ask who is qualified to advise on the specific procedure.

You do not need account numbers, your SIN, bank passwords, or files to start.

Does completing this form stop collection or apply for a public program?

No. This form does not suspend deadlines, establish legal representation or register you for a public program. Contact the appropriate authority directly for urgent procedural questions.

Debt feels hard. Let’s find your next step.

Tell us which payment is hardest right now. We will help you find the right questions to ask.

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WHERE WE CHECKED THE FACTS

Sources

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