Debt relief in Winnipeg
In short
All five routes out of consumer debt are available to residents of Winnipeg. Consumer proposals and bankruptcy are federal and work identically everywhere. Debt settlement and consolidation lending are regulated by Manitoba, so the licensed providers you can use are the ones registered there.
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Which routes apply in Winnipeg?
Consumer proposal
A formal offer to your creditors, filed by a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.
Debt settlement
A licensed company negotiates with creditors on your behalf, for a fee.
Debt consolidation loan
One new loan pays out several balances, leaving a single payment.
Non-profit credit counselling
A counsellor reviews your budget and may set up a debt management plan.
Handle it yourself
For smaller balances, a plan and a payoff order often beats paying anyone.
About Winnipeg
Manitoba's largest city and its economic centre, with a comparatively affordable housing market.
Winnipeg had about 749,607 residents at the 2021 Census.
Manitoba caps what may be charged for negotiating with creditors on a debtor's behalf and bars charging before a settlement is arranged.
Who regulates providers serving Winnipeg?
Manitoba's Consumer Protection Office registers collection agencies and caps what may be charged for arranging or negotiating with creditors on a debtor's behalf.
Where is the nearest insolvency office?
The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy division office serving Winnipeg is in Winnipeg. You do not need to visit one — Licensed Insolvency Trustees are found through the federal directory and routinely hold first consultations by phone or video.
Free resources
Find a Licensed Insolvency Trustee
The federal directory of Licensed Insolvency Trustees. Free, and the only route to a consumer proposal.
Find a non-profit credit counsellor
Non-profit member agencies. The first appointment is usually free.
Free budgeting tools
The federal budget planner. Costs nothing and needs no account.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a consumer proposal different in Winnipeg?
- No. Consumer proposals are governed by the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, so the mechanism is the same in every province and territory. What differs is which Licensed Insolvency Trustees practise near you.
- How do I check a provider serving Winnipeg is licensed?
- Ask for the licence number and the name of the body that issued it, then verify it directly with that body. Manitoba's Consumer Protection Office registers collection agencies and caps what may be charged for arranging or negotiating with creditors on a debtor's behalf.
- Does this site cost anything in Winnipeg?
- No. You are never charged. Licensed settlement companies and consolidation lenders pay us when we introduce you, and we are paid nothing for trustee and non-profit referrals.