Does using this site cost me anything?

No. You are never charged. Licensed debt-settlement companies and consolidation lenders pay us when we introduce you to them. Introductions to Licensed Insolvency Trustees and non-profit credit counsellors are free routing to public directories and are never sold.

Will any of this affect my credit?

Most of these routes are reported to the credit bureaus in some form, and the effect differs by route and by your existing file. Ask the provider you speak with to explain exactly what will be reported and for how long, before you agree to anything.

Are you a government service?

No. Debt Relief Path is a private business and has no affiliation with, or endorsement from, any government body. We do link to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy's public trustee directory, which is a government resource.

Do you negotiate with my creditors?

No, and we are not permitted to. We do not contact your creditors, we do not receive or forward your money, and we do not act for you in any arrangement. Those functions belong to licensed providers.

What happens to the information I enter?

It is stored so we can show you your results and, if you consent, pass your details to a provider you have been told about. You consent separately to storage, to sharing, and to being contacted. You can ask us to delete your record at any time.

Can I speak to someone instead of filling in a form?

You can contact us, but we can only tell you what is on this site — we cannot advise on your situation. For advice about a specific debt, speak with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee or a non-profit credit counsellor. Both offer a free first consultation.

Your options, side by side

These are the five routes we screen for. They are different mechanisms with different consequences, and the right one depends on your income, your balances, and how much time you have. Nothing on this page is advice about your situation.

Consumer proposal

A formal offer to your creditors, filed by a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.

What it is: A consumer proposal is a formal arrangement under the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Working with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, you offer to repay a portion of what you owe over a period of up to five years. If enough of your creditors accept, the arrangement is binding on all of them and unsecured collection activity stops.
Who it tends to suit: People who owe more than they can realistically repay in full, but who have some regular income to fund monthly payments.
What to weigh: It is filed publicly and it is reported on your credit file, generally for three years after completion. Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can file one. A trustee will explain how it compares with bankruptcy for your situation.
What it costs: Trustee fees are set by federal regulation and are paid out of the payments you make into the proposal.
Where we send you: We send you to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy's public directory to choose a trustee yourself. We are not paid for this.

Debt settlement

A licensed company negotiates with creditors on your behalf, for a fee.

What it is: A debt-settlement company approaches your unsecured creditors and tries to agree a reduced lump sum or repayment arrangement. Creditors are under no obligation to agree, and the outcome depends on your creditors, your balances, and how much you can put toward a settlement.
Who it tends to suit: People with unsecured debt and access to funds, who want to avoid an insolvency filing and understand that no result is assured.
What to weigh: Accounts usually continue to age while a settlement is pursued, which affects your credit file and can attract collection activity. Provincial law caps what these companies may charge and generally bars them from collecting fees before a settlement is actually reached — ask for the fee schedule in writing.
What it costs: Fees are charged by the provider and are regulated in most provinces. You pay the provider, never us.
Where we send you: We can introduce you to a licensed debt-settlement company serving your province, if you consent.

Debt consolidation loan

One new loan pays out several balances, leaving a single payment.

What it is: A lender advances a loan that pays off several existing balances, so you are left with one payment at one interest rate. Whether you qualify, and at what rate, depends entirely on the lender's assessment of your credit and income.
Who it tends to suit: People who are still current on their payments and have enough income and credit standing that a lender will consider them.
What to weigh: This does not reduce what you owe — it reorganises it. A longer term with a lower payment can mean more interest overall. If the cards you pay off get used again, the position is worse than before.
What it costs: Interest and any lender fees, disclosed by the lender before you sign.
Where we send you: We can introduce you to a lender serving your province, if you consent.

Non-profit credit counselling

A counsellor reviews your budget and may set up a debt management plan.

What it is: A non-profit credit counselling agency reviews your full financial picture and may arrange a debt management plan, in which you make one monthly payment to the agency and it distributes the money to your creditors. Creditors often reduce or stop interest under such a plan.
Who it tends to suit: People who can repay their debt in full over time given some relief on interest, and who want budgeting help alongside it.
What to weigh: A debt management plan is usually reported to the credit bureaus. Counselling itself is generally free or low cost. Verify that any agency you approach is a genuine non-profit member agency.
What it costs: Counselling is typically free; a debt management plan may carry a modest administration fee.
Where we send you: We send you to the non-profit member directory to choose an agency yourself. We are not paid for this.

Handle it yourself

For smaller balances, a plan and a payoff order often beats paying anyone.

What it is: For a balance that is small relative to your income, a written budget, a repayment order (usually highest interest first), and a call to each creditor to ask about hardship arrangements will often do more than any paid service.
Who it tends to suit: People whose balances are modest and whose income covers their essentials.
What to weigh: This takes discipline and a few uncomfortable phone calls. If circumstances change, the other routes are still there.
What it costs: Nothing.
Where we send you: We point you at free federal budgeting tools and a non-profit counsellor if you want a second opinion.

See which of these fit me

Common questions

Does using this site cost me anything?: No. You are never charged. Licensed debt-settlement companies and consolidation lenders pay us when we introduce you to them. Introductions to Licensed Insolvency Trustees and non-profit credit counsellors are free routing to public directories and are never sold.
Will any of this affect my credit?: Most of these routes are reported to the credit bureaus in some form, and the effect differs by route and by your existing file. Ask the provider you speak with to explain exactly what will be reported and for how long, before you agree to anything.
Are you a government service?: No. Debt Relief Path is a private business and has no affiliation with, or endorsement from, any government body. We do link to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy's public trustee directory, which is a government resource.
Do you negotiate with my creditors?: No, and we are not permitted to. We do not contact your creditors, we do not receive or forward your money, and we do not act for you in any arrangement. Those functions belong to licensed providers.
What happens to the information I enter?: It is stored so we can show you your results and, if you consent, pass your details to a provider you have been told about. You consent separately to storage, to sharing, and to being contacted. You can ask us to delete your record at any time.
Can I speak to someone instead of filling in a form?: You can contact us, but we can only tell you what is on this site — we cannot advise on your situation. For advice about a specific debt, speak with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee or a non-profit credit counsellor. Both offer a free first consultation.