How Sandra*, a Single Mother and Part-Time Teacher, Eliminated $26,000 in Debt
Separated, raising a toddler alone, and dealing with nine creditors chasing her, Sandra found a way forward through a consumer proposal that cut her $38,000 debt to $12,000.
*name changed for anonymity
Safe, secure & confidential
TOTAL DEBT
$38,000
Credit cards, LOC & CRA
AMOUNT ACCEPTED
$12,000
68% reduction in total debt
MONTHLY PAYMENT
$200
Over 60 months, 0% interest
Sandra cut $26,000 from her debt, stopped several creditors chasing her, and was able to raise her child more comfortably with a monthly payment she could plan around.
Client profile
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Age: Early 30s
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Province: Ontario
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Employment: Part-time, education
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Family: Separated, one child (age 3)
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Income: Single-income household, no additional support from ex-spouse
The situation
Sandra came to Harris & Partners after finding us through Google. A part-time teacher in her early 30s, she was coping with a separation while raising a young child entirely on her own, with no financial support from her former spouse. Over roughly five years, debt had built up across credit cards ($26,000), a line of credit ($7,000), and a CRA tax balance ($5,000), bringing her total unsecured debt to $38,000.
By the time she reached out, her debts had already moved into collections. Nine creditors were actively pursuing her, and the calls weren’t stopping. Working part-time, with a toddler to care for and no additional income, she had no realistic way to repay what she owed and no room to consolidate.
Why did she choose a consumer proposal?
At her age, Sandra was firmly opposed to filing for bankruptcy. She didn’t want that on her record at the start of her financial life. A consumer proposal gave her what she needed: significant debt reduction, legal protection from creditors, and the flexibility to make an offer she could actually sustain on a part-time income. A consumer proposal also let her keep her car, something she couldn’t go without as a working single parent.
What this meant for Sandra
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Debt reduced from $38,000 to $12,000—a saving of $26,000
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Fixed monthly payment of $200 over 60 months at 0% interest
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Collection calls stopped immediately upon filing
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No bankruptcy on record—a clean foundation to rebuild from
Sandra’s path to debt relief
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22 December
After finding us through Google, Sandra completed her initial consultation with one of our Licensed Insolvency Trustees
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6 January
We filed Sandra’s Consumer Proposal, and a stay of proceedings immediately took effect. This meant all collection activity stopped, and Sandra began her $200 monthly payments. We held these payments in trust while the nine creditors—including the CRA—reviewed the offer.
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20 February
Sandra’s creditors held a vote, and all nine accepted without objection. The payments she made since January were applied directly to the agreed amount of £12,000, and she now continues her path to a debt-free life.
All payments made since January were applied directly to Alan’s renewed amount of $10,200, and he continues his 5-year path to a debt-free life.
The outcome
The most immediate relief for Sandra wasn’t the money — it was the silence. The collection calls that had been keeping her up at night stopped the day her proposal was filed. For a single mother managing a household, a young child, and a part-time income alone, that relief was just what she needed.
With a manageable $200 monthly payment and five years to reach the finish line, Sandra now has something she didn’t have before: a clear, realistic plan. Her debt is no longer an unmanageable crisis, but a fixed, interest-free commitment she can meet on her own terms.
“I have a fresh start, and I see my path forward.”
— Sandra, Ontario
Key case details
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Debt type: Credit cards ($15,000) and line of credit ($15,000)
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Number of creditors: 9, including the CRA
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Debt accumulated over: approximately 5 years
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Proposal term: 60 months at 0% interest
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Creditor vote result: Automatically accepted
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Total debt forgiven: $26,000 (68% of original balance)
Example Savings With Harris & Partners Debt Relief
Your Potential Debts:
Your monthly repayments over a 60-month period would be
Before Help
$1409
After Help
$210
Monthly payments are determined based on individual financial factors
How much Could I Save
Why choose us for consumer proposals in Canada
Our Licensed Insolvency Trustees provide a customized service that could remove up to 80% of your debt and stress, so you can breathe easier.
Our multilingual team provides support in many languages, from Farsi and Portuguese to Italian and Tamil, leaving out complicated jargon, so you understand everything, every step of the way.
Want to speak to someone in person? Our team is on hand to help at a Harris & Partners office near you.
Still unsure?
It’s never too late to get help with your debt. Book a free, no-obligation consultation with our Licensed Insolvency Trustees in Ontario to get started.
Most people feel anxious before calling. That’s completely normal. You’re not alone!
Contact information
It’s never too late to obtain debt help. Book your free consultation today
It's never too late to obtain debt help. Book your free consultation today
- Phone number
- 800-268-8093
- hello@harrispartners.ca
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