Consumer Proposal Hamilton
Reduce what you owe, keep your assets, and start moving forward with a consumer proposal in Hamilton. From Downtown and Central to Westdale and Kirkendall, our Licensed Insolvency Trustees in Hamilton offer free, confidential consultations to help you understand whether a consumer proposal is right for you.
The sooner you act, the more options you have.Â
Safe, secure & confidential
What is a consumer proposal in Hamilton?
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. Unlike 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.
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Is a consumer proposal right for you in Hamilton?
You may qualify for a consumer proposal in Hamilton if:Â
- Â You owe between $1,000 and $250,000 in unsecured debt (excluding your mortgage)
- Â You are a Canadian resident or own property in Canada
- Â You are an individual (not a corporation)
- Â You are at least 18 years old
- Â 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 Hamilton team will assess your situation at no cost.
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We've helped 100s of Hamilton residents file consumer proposals
In Q1 2026, 715 people filed for insolvency in Hamilton.
575 of these were for consumer proposals.
575 of these were for consumer proposals.
Consumer proposal vs bankruptcy vs debt consolidation Hamilton
For many people in Hamilton dealing with large amounts of unsecured debt, a consumer proposal can be a practical way to reduce what they owe while keeping important assets like their 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 helps balance debt reduction with asset protection. 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 Hamilton?
Consumer Proposals in Hamilton are a practical way to get out of debt while keeping your financial stability. Here’s how this government-regulated debt relief solution can help you take back financial control:
- 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 Hamilton: step-by-step
- Â Step 1: Free, confidential consultation Meet with our Licensed Insolvency Trustee in Hamilton 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.Â
- 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 Hamilton?
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.
Hamilton 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 Hamilton
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 Hamilton?
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 Hamilton office
We have offices across Ontario, the closest one to you in Hamilton is:
1059 Upper James St. Suite 212, Hamilton, ON L9C 3A6
Your estate manager in Hamilton
Address
1059 Upper James St. Suite 212, Hamilton, ON L9C 3A6
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
Hamilton Consumer Proposal FAQs
Can I include CRA tax debt in a consumer proposal in Hamilton?
Yes. Income tax debt, HST arrears, and other CRA obligations can be included in a consumer proposal, just like credit cards, lines of credit, and other unsecured debts. This holds true for residents throughout Hamilton, from downtown to the outlying areas like Ancaster, Dundas, and Stoney Creek. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) can review your CRA debt and confirm exactly how it would be handled in your proposal.
Does a consumer proposal affect your credit rating in Hamilton?
Yes, a consumer proposal is recorded on your credit report and generally remains on file for about three years after you finish paying it off (or six years from the filing date, whichever comes first, under Canadian credit reporting rules). Your credit score will typically drop when the proposal is filed, similar to other major debt-relief options, but many Hamilton residents see their score begin to recover once they start making consistent payments, with further improvement after the proposal is completed.
How do I do a consumer proposal in Hamilton?
The process begins with a free consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, the only professional in Canada legally authorized to file a consumer proposal. During this meeting, the LIT reviews your income, assets, and total debt, then drafts a proposal to your creditors — typically offering to repay a portion of what’s owed over a period of up to five years. If creditors representing the majority of your debt (by dollar value) accept the terms, the proposal becomes legally binding, and interest stops accumulating. We have an office close by in Hamilton and also offer virtual consultations, so you don’t need to visit us in person.
How much does a consultation with a LIT cost in Hamilton?
Initial consultations with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee are free in Hamilton, as they are everywhere in Canada. This first meeting reviews your financial situation and walks through your options—consumer proposal, bankruptcy, debt consolidation, and so on—with no obligation to move forward.
How much does a consumer proposal cost in Hamilton?
There isn’t a separate fee charged on top of your repayment—the trustee’s fees are built into the total amount you pay back under the proposal, which is set by federal tariff regulations and doesn’t change based on which LIT you choose or where in Ontario you’re located. What does vary is your monthly payment amount and total proposal size, which depend on your income, assets, and debt load. Our Hamilton team can give you a personalized estimate during your free initial consultation.
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Take back control with a consumer proposal in Hamilton
It’s never too late to get help with your debt. Book a free, no-obligation consultation with our Licensed Insolvency Trustees in Hamilton 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