Debt

If you're in debt and have fallen behind in your payments, these resources may help you understand your rights and help you deal with your situation.

The resources on this page were hand-picked by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta's staff as a good place to start.

Check out CPLEA's newest resource Help With Debt Alberta created by concerned members of Alberta’s legal community working as the Alberta Debtor Support Project.

You may also find helpful resources listed under these legal topics: Credit and debt, and Bankruptcy and foreclosure


CPLEA Suggested Resources

Not sure where to begin finding answers to your questions. Get started with our suggested resources. See additional resources below for more information.

These FAQs are provided by the Canadian Legal FAQs, a website of the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta. They provide answers to questions about consumer law in Alberta including the Fair Trading Act, collections and debt repayment, cost of credit disclosure, and credit and personal reports. See also FAQs on Contracts and Consumer Information

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud

This tipsheet from the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta provides information about understanding debt, collection agencies, and paying back your debt. The pdf is available for free download or print copies can be ordered at no charge.

Related legal topic(s): Credit and debt

This tipsheet from the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta provides information about payday loans and Alberta law. The tipsheet is available for free download or print copies can be ordered at no charge.

Related legal topic(s): Credit and debt

Alberta Resources

This page on CPLEA's Canadian Legal FAQs website provides information for Albertan who find themselves in debt and are thinking of declaring bankruptcy Topics covered include: debt and debt control, options other than declaring bankruptcy, collection agencies and links to help and more information.

Related legal topic(s): Bankruptcy and foreclosure, Credit and debt

Credit Counselling Society is an accredited member of Credit Counselling Canada (CCC), a national association of not-for-profit credit counselling agencies specializing in debt consolidation alternatives and credit counselling The Credit Counselling Society is nationally registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as a non-profit, charitable organization.

Related legal topic(s): Credit and debt

This online resource is from the Student Legal Services of Edmonton. Topics include: Credit and Personal Reporting; Dealing with Bill Collecting Agencies; What can happen if you do not pay your debts; and How can Student Legal Services help with debt issues?. This resource is also available to download as a PDF.

Related legal topic(s): Credit and debt

Concerned members of Alberta’s legal community working as the Alberta Debtor Support Project created this online resource to help Albertans dealing with debt find the help they need.

Related legal topic(s): Credit and debt

This article discusses the options available to a debtor when they file for bankruptcy and their are inheritance issues.

Related legal topic(s): Bankruptcy and foreclosure

This court procedure booklet is a guide for people who are bankrupt, but have not been granted a discharge from bankruptcy. If your trustee is no longer responsible for making another application for discharge, this guidebook will help you make your own application for discharge from bankruptcy

Related legal topic(s): Bankruptcy and foreclosure

Money Mentors (formerly know as Credit Counseling Services of Alberta) is an Alberta-based public agency that is the exclusive provider of the OrderlyPayment of Debts program in Alberta as specified under the Federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. They offer free credit counselling, money coaching, and financial education tto the community and K-12 students in Alberta. They are an accredited member of Credit Counselling Canada.

Related legal topic(s): Bankruptcy and foreclosure, Credit and debt

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, there may be other ways to handle your financial problems before filing personal bankruptcy.  For example, you may speak with a loans manager at a bank and try to get a consolidation loan for your debts. This topic discusses personal bankruptcy..

Related legal topic(s): Bankruptcy and foreclosure, Credit and debt

Learn about legal options and debt repayment if you caused injury to someone in a motor vehicle accident and you didn’t have insurance.

Related legal topic(s): Driving

This tip-sheet is from the Government of Alberta and describes the legal action a creditor may take if you do not pay your debts. (PDF - 8 pages)
Related legal topic(s): Credit and debt

Canada/Federal

Bankruptcy Canada was founded in 2004; contributors are trustees from regional and national firms in Canada. This site provides easy to understand facts and information about bankruptcy and its alternatives.

Related legal topic(s): Bankruptcy and foreclosure

Bankruptcy law in Canada (and generally elsewhere) is governed primarily by federal law and governs the process by which individuals and companies apply to court to be relieved of their debts (except for some debts, such as secured debts or those that have arisen through fraud). Bankruptcy can be voluntary (initiated by the person in debt) or involuntary (initiated by creditors of the debtor). Includes links to online sources of further information.

Related legal topic(s): Bankruptcy and foreclosure

Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada is a registered charity. They provide credit counselling and debt management services for Canadians. Their mission is to assist individuals and families in ending financial crises and to help them solve money management problems through education, motivation, and professional counselling.

Related legal topic(s): Credit and debt

When you apply for a credit card, you are entering into a contract. Like any contract, it is legally binding and gives each party certain rights and responsibilities.

On this page you will find information on:

  • Your right to information
  • Cancelling your credit card
  • Unsolicited credit card cheques
  • Joint or shared cards
  • What you should do if you feel your rights are not being respected
Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Credit and debt

This web page has information about your legal responsibilities when you have a joint or shared credit card. It describes how authorized users (or secondary users) can affect you and your liabilities.

Related legal topic(s): Consumer protection and fraud, Credit and debt

This online fact sheet from Canada Mortgage and Housing explains some options you may have when unforeseen financial circumstances impact your ability to make regular mortgage payments.
Related legal topic(s): Real estate and home ownership

For debtors (those who owe money) and creditors (those who are owed money), OSB, a special operating agency associated with Industry Canada, makes the bankruptcy and insolvency process easier to understand by providing information.

Related legal topic(s): Bankruptcy and foreclosure, Federal government departments

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