Consumer Proposal Guelph
A consumer proposal in Guelph can reduce what you owe while protecting your assets, especially if everyday costs like rent or mortgage payments, Guelph Transit fares, and household bills are becoming harder to manage. Whether you live near Downtown Guelph, Kortright Hills, or Clairfields, a consumer proposal could give you a path to living debt-free.
Our Licensed Insolvency Trustees in Guelph offer free, confidential consultations to help you take the first step.
The sooner you act, the more options you have.Â
Safe, secure & confidential
What is a consumer proposal in Guelph?
A consumer proposal is a federally regulated, legally binding agreement to repay a portion of what you owe. It’s filed through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, and it can reduce your unsecured debt by up to 80%.
Unlike bankruptcy, you keep your home, car, and other assets. And compared to debt consolidation, there’s no new loan to take on and no minimum credit score required. You make one fixed monthly payment, interest-free, for up to five years.
It applies to most unsecured debts: credit cards, payday loans, personal loans, lines of credit, CRA tax debt, and certain student loans. Once filed, all collection calls, interest charges, and wage garnishments stop.
Is a consumer proposal right for you in Guelph?
You may qualify for a consumer proposal in Guelph if:
- You owe between $1,000 and $250,000 in unsecured debt (excluding your mortgage)
- You are a Canadian resident or own property in Canada
- You are an individual (not a corporation)
- You are at least 18 years old
- You cannot fully repay your debts as they fall due, but you can afford some monthly payment
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, our Guelph team will assess your situation at no cost.
We've helped 100s of Guelph residents file consumer proposals
Struggling with debt in Guelph?
You’re not alone. In Q1 2026, almost 100 people filed for insolvency in Guelph.
More Guelph residents are choosing consumer proposals to deal with debt—378 were filed in 2024 alone.
More Guelph residents are choosing consumer proposals to deal with debt—378 were filed in 2024 alone.
Consumer proposal vs bankruptcy vs debt consolidation Guelph
For many people in Guelph dealing with large amounts of unsecured debt, a consumer proposal can be a practical way to reduce what you owe while keeping important assets like your home or car. It also provides legal protection from creditors, giving you breathing room to get your finances back on track. It’s one of the most popular debt relief options in Ontario because it protects your assets while reducing debt. That said, everyone’s situation is different, so it’s important to look at all your options before making a decision. Understanding what’s available can help you choose the solution that’s right for your financial future.
| Consumer proposal | Bankruptcy | Debt consolidation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduces debt? | Yes, up to 80% | Yes, most debt eliminated | No |
| Requires new loan? | No | No | Yes |
| Interest rate | 0% | 0% | Variable, often high |
| Stops collection calls? | Yes, immediately | Yes, immediately | No |
| Impact on assets | Keep all assets | May lose assets | Keep all assets |
| Impact on credit score | R7 for 3 years post-completion or 6 years after filing | R9 for 6-7 years post-discharge | Depends on payments |
| Government-regulated? | Yes | Yes | No |
What are the benefits of a consumer proposal in Guelph?
- Reduce your debt by up to 80%. Creditors often accept significantly less than the full balance owed, helping you settle debt faster.
- Stop collection calls and wage garnishments immediately. Legal protection begins the moment your proposal is filed with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.
- Keep your home, car, and assets. Unlike bankruptcy, a consumer proposal doesn’t require surrendering your property.
- Pay 0% interest. All interest charges are frozen once the proposal is filed, so every payment reduces your principal.
- One affordable monthly payment based on what you can realistically afford, spread over up to five years.
- No credit check required to qualify. Eligibility is based on your debt situation, not your credit score.
- Over 98% acceptance rate. Consumer proposals are a proven, high-success debt solution trusted across Ontario.
- Government-regulated and legally binding. Your proposal is filed under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, giving you full legal protection.
How to file a consumer proposal in Guelph: Step by step
- Step 1: Free, confidential consultation – Meet with our Licensed Insolvency Trustee in Guelph to review your debts, income, and assets. No obligation, no judgment. The consultation takes less than an hour and is completely free.
- Step 2: Review your options – Your LIT will walk you through every available debt relief option, not just consumer proposals, to ensure you receive the right solution for your situation.
- Step 3: Draft your proposal – If a consumer proposal is the right route, we prepare the proposal documents and calculate a fair monthly payment based on what you can realistically afford.
- Step 4: File with the government – We submit the proposal to your creditors via the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy. Collection calls, interest, and wage garnishments stop immediately.
- Step 5: Creditors vote – Creditors have 45 days to review and vote. If creditors holding the majority of the debt accept, the proposal becomes binding on all of them, including those who voted against.
- Step 6: Make monthly payments – One simple payment each month to your LIT, who distributes the funds to your creditors. Payments continue for up to five years.
- Step 7: Complete the programme – Two mandatory financial counselling sessions help you rebuild your finances. Once all payments are made, you receive a Certificate of Completion and are legally debt-free.
Why choose Harris & Partners for your consumer proposal in Guelph?
We’ve been helping Canadian families get out of debt since 1964. With us, there are no intimidating offices or confusing legal jargon, just honest advice from people who genuinely care about your financial stability.
As one of Canada’s largest insolvency filers, you can count on our 100+ years of combined experience and strong creditor relationships to get your consumer proposal approved. We’ll get you on a path to living debt-free.
Guelph residents who file a consumer proposal with us can legally reduce what they owe by up to 80%, paying off the remainder in affordable instalments. Give us a call and we’ll find the right consumer proposal terms for your situation.
See how much you could save with a Consumer Proposal in Guelph
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?
What types of debt are covered by consumer proposals Guelph?
A consumer proposal lets you roll most unsecured debts into a single, affordable monthly payment. If any of the following are keeping you up at night, a consumer proposal could be the fresh start you need.
- Credit card debt – Get out from under high-interest balances across multiple cards
- Payday loans and wage garnishments – Break the borrowing cycle and protect your paycheque
- Personal loans and lines of credit – Combine what you owe to banks or private lenders into one payment
- CRA tax debt – Settle income tax arrears, GST/HST owing, and CERB overpayments
- Student loan debt – Eligible once seven or more years have passed since you finished school
- Medical bills – Address lingering healthcare costs where applicable
- Utility arrears – Include unpaid hydro, gas, or other utility balances
Your mortgage and car loan are secured debts, so they won’t be part of the proposal. The good news? Filing gives you the breathing room to stay current on those payments and hold onto what matters most.
Our closest office to you
We have offices across Ontario, the closest one to you in Guelph is our Kitchener-Waterloo office:
180 Northfield Dr W #4, Waterloo, ON
Your closest estate manager in Guelph
Address
180 Northfield Dr. West, #4, Waterloo, ON N2L 0C7
Office hours
By appointment only:
Monday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Thursday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Guelph consumer proposal FAQs
Can I include CRA tax debt in a consumer proposal in Guelph?
Yes. Income tax debt, HST arrears, and most other CRA debts can be included in a consumer proposal, the same as credit cards, lines of credit, and other unsecured debts. This applies to residents throughout Guelph and Wellington County. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) can review your CRA debt and confirm how it would be treated in your specific proposal.
Does a consumer proposal affect your credit rating in Guelph?
Yes, a consumer proposal is noted on your credit report and typically stays on file for about three years after you finish paying it off (or six years from the date you filed, whichever comes first, under Canadian credit reporting rules). During the proposal, your credit score generally takes a hit similar to other serious debt-relief measures, but many Guelph residents find their score starts recovering once payments begin and continues to improve after the proposal is completed.
How do I do a consumer proposal in Guelph?
The process starts with a free consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, who is the only professional in Canada authorized to file a consumer proposal. In that meeting, the LIT reviews your income, assets, and total debt, then puts together a proposal to your creditors—usually offering to repay a portion of what you owe over up to five years. If your creditors (representing the majority of the debt by dollar value) accept, the proposal becomes legally binding and interest stops accruing. Guelph has both local and remote/virtual LIT services available, so you can complete the process without having to visit an office in person.
How much does a consultation with a LIT cost in Guelph?
Initial consultations with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee are free in Guelph, as they are across Canada. This first meeting is meant to review your financial situation and explain your options (consumer proposal, bankruptcy, debt consolidation, etc.) with no obligation to proceed.
How much does a consumer proposal cost in Guelph?
There’s no separate “fee” charged on top of what you pay—the trustee’s fees are built into the total amount you repay under the proposal, which is set by federal tariff regulations and doesn’t vary based on which LIT you use or where in Ontario you live. What varies is the size of your monthly payments and the total proposal amount, which depend on your income, assets, and debt load. An LIT in Guelph can give you a personalized repayment estimate during your free initial consultation.
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Take back control with a consumer proposal in Guelph
It’s never too late to get help with your debt. Book a free, no-obligation consultation with our Licensed Insolvency Trustees in Guelph to get started.
It's never too late to obtain debt help. Book your free consultation today
- Phone number
- 800-268-8093
- hello@harrispartners.ca