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BANKRUPTCY BLOG 2019: OUR MOST FAVOURITE INSOLVENCY TOPICS

bankruptcy blogIntroduction

I first want to wish all of you and your families a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. As 2019 draws to a close, I thought it would be interesting to do some research in my 2019 Brandon’s bankruptcy blog to see which ones were the most top 10 popular this year.

So, in order counting down from number 10 to number 1, here are my top 10 bankruptcy blog counts for 2019.

#10 – 407 ETR DEBT SETTLEMENT: OUR NEWEST GUILT FREE WAY TO DO IT

This was a blog I wrote in 2015 as a follow up from one in 2014. It was updated for a 2018 Court decision.

In January 2014 in our blog titled 407ETR FAIRNESS-ONTARIO COURT OF APPEAL ENSURES FRESH START I described to you the decision of the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 407 ETR Concession Company Limited v. Superintendent of Bankruptcy (In the Matter of the Bankruptcy of Matthew David Moore) (the Moore Decision).

The highway’s owners appealed that decision to the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC). On Friday, November 13, 2015, the SCC released three decisions all dealing with the same basic issue: does the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) take paramountcy over provincial laws purporting to deal with the issue of debt and bankruptcy in Canada. The SCC answer was a resounding YES!

This blog talks about how 407etr deals with the debt owing by an insolvent person filing either a consumer proposal or for bankruptcy.

#9 – SOMETIMES EVEN A SHARK NEEDS BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY HELP

Not every innovation that is seen on The Shark Tank is bound to be one of the very best. Among the winners, one just entered into bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings. In this blog, I described one such company that got a deal on Shark Tank, but ultimately, went into bankruptcy.

Fizzics is a machine that makes use of sound waves that improves the taste and quality of a beer. Not even a Shark can stop its company from being driven to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This proves that often an ingenious and fantastic invention being marketed with the assistance of a Shark might not truly interest people.

#8 – COURTS OF JUSTICE ACT: COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO CREATES NEW RULE?

This was a June 2019 blog about a then-recent decision of the Court of Appeal for Ontario that raises certain issues for a Receiver appointed under the Ontario Courts of Justice Act. The question answered in this blog which I focussed on was does the appeal period in the BIA or the Courts of Justice Act, regulates the appeal period from the order of the motion judge in this situation?

#7 – GAMBLING DEBT BANKRUPTCY: CAN GAMBLING DEBT BE DISCHARGED IN BANKRUPTCY?

I am often asked if you can have a gambling debt bankruptcy; can gambling debts be discharged in bankruptcy? In that January 2018 blog, I discussed the issues and provided my views on how best to get a discharge from not only gambling debts but debts related to any addiction.

#6 – CANADIAN REVERSE MORTGAGE: SENIORS MOVING FORWARD WITH INCREASED DEBT

In this August 2019 blog, I discussed the issue of how seniors are flocking to the Canadian reverse mortgage product in record numbers. I described what seniors must know to avoid reverse mortgage problems.

#5 – PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS MAKE FAMILIES STRONGER: THEY AREN’T JUST FOR THE RICH & FAMOUS – PRENUPS IN ONTARIO ARE FOR YOU TOO

In this July 2017 blog, I wrote about how prenuptial agreements make families stronger and why anyone can benefit from prenups in Ontario.

#4 – FORM 31 PROOF OF CLAIM: HOW TO COMPLETE THE PROOF OF CLAIM

This blog is from October 2018. I discussed how a form 31 proof of claim form should be completed and discussed why it is important for it, and the related proxy, to be completed properly.

#3 – 40 PARK LANE CIRCLE, 44 PARK LANE CIRCLE TORONTO FOR SALE: ARE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS CONTAGIOUS?

This March 2015 blog asked somewhat tongue in cheek if financial problems could be a result of where you lived. I reviewed some high profile insolvency cases by residents of 40 Park Lane Circle and 44 Park Lane Circle in the toney Bridle Path area of Toronto. I also provided some solutions people could use to solve their own debt issues.

#2 – WHAT HAPPENS TO DEBT WHEN YOU DIE CANADA: ARE YOU FREE OF DEBT

This was a June 2018 blog. In it, I explored what happens to debt when you die in Canada. Does debt survive death or not?

#1 – AVERAGE CANADIAN NET WORTH 2018: MIDLIFE WEALTH SHOCK MAY LEAD TO DEATH

This September 2018 blog looked at household debt at an all-time high, making the average Canadian net worth 2018 is a hot topic. My blog explored a then-recent study showing what could happen if we experience wealth shock.

Bankruptcy blog conclusion

You may have already noticed over the last 10 days or so I have slowed down a bit in the writing of my Brandon’s bankruptcy Blog. The holiday period will do that to me! I will continue in January at a slower pace of blog posting. Come February, I will pick up the pace again.

In the meantime, again, I wish all of my loyal readers and their families a healthy, happy and prosperous 2020.

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407ETR BANKRUPTCY DEBT CHECKLIST: YOU NEED IT NOW!

407, 407 bankruptcy, 407 debt, 407 debt settlement, 407 etr, 407 ETR bill, 407 ETR debt, 407 ETR debt settlement, 407ETR bankruptcy, 407ETR bankruptcy debt, Bankruptcy, bankruptcy alternative, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, BIA, Consumer Proposal, credit counselling, debt consolidation, debt settlement, Highway 407 Act, Ira Smith Trustee, Matthew David Moore, Moore Decision, plate denial, professional trustee, SCC, starting over starting now, Superintendent of Bankruptcy, Supreme Court of Canada, trustee, trustee in bankruptcyTo access the 407ETR bankruptcy debt checklist, simply click on the picture either at the top or bottom of this blog. It will take you to our secure website for access.

407ETR Bankruptcy Debt: How did the Checklist come about?

407ETR bankruptcy debt was the topic of last week’s blog 407ETR DEBT SETTLEMENT: OUR NEWEST GUILT FREE WAY TO DO IT, we reported on the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) decision in 407 ETR Concession Co. v. Canada (Superintendent of Bankruptcy), 2015 SCC 52 (CanLII) (the Moore Decision).

To summarize that decision, the SCC dismissed the 407ETR’s appeal because the discharge provisions of the BIA override the plate denial provisions of the Highway 407 Act.

We also reported that the effect of the SCC’s decision is that:

  1. Pre-bankruptcy amounts owed to 407ETR are deemed to be provable claims under the BIA and can no longer be collected through plate denial under the Highway 407 Act following a customer’s discharge from bankruptcy
  2. Where a person has been discharged from bankruptcy and has pre-bankruptcy amounts in plate denial, which are provable claims under the BIA, 407ETR will credit these amounts (plus interest and fees incurred on those amounts) on the person’s 407ETR bill, upon receipt of a Notice of Bankruptcy, and an Order of Discharge or a Certificate of Discharge.

In both cases, once the amount owing is credited, then the person is free to obtain plate renewal from the Province.

But the Court won’t tell me how to get my plate after getting rid of my 407ETR bankruptcy debt!

That is all well and good, but the SCC did not and would not tell the “man on the street” how to go about having the combination of the 407ETR and the Province of Ontario reflect all this and issue a new vehicle plate registered in the name of the discharged bankrupt. So we did!

Where do I get these tools?

We prepared a checklist so that discharged bankrupts and their advisors will have a roadmap as to what needs to be done and what tools are required in order for 407ETR and the Province to have the proper information in order to amend their records and allow for the vehicle plate registration.

To access the 407ETR bankruptcy debt checklist, simply click on the picture either at the top or bottom of this blog. It will take you to our secure website for access.

 

Do you have too much 407 debt and other debts?

Instead of going deeper into debt seek the help from a professional trustee, even if you’re not considering bankruptcy at this stage. A trustee in bankruptcy will evaluate your situation and help you to arrive at the best possible solution for your problems, whether that solution is a bankruptcy alternative like credit counselling, debt consolidation or a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. With immediate action and the right plan the Ira Smith Team can solve your financial problems Starting Over, Starting Now. We’re just a phone call away.

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Brandon Blog Post

407 ETR DEBT SETTLEMENT: OUR NEWEST GUILT FREE WAY TO DO IT

407, 407 ETR, 407 ETR debt, 407 ETR debt settlement, Matthew David Moore, bankruptcy, Supreme Court of Canada, SCC, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, BIA, 407 debt, debt settlement, 407 debt settlement, plate denial, Moore Decision, Highway 407 Act, professional trustee, trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, Superintendent of Bankruptcy, bankruptcy alternative, credit counselling, debt consolidation, consumer proposal, 407 ETR bill, starting over starting now, Ira Smith Trustee407 ETR debt settlement

This 407 ETR debt settlement blog was reviewed earlier this week by Mr. Brian Empey, Partner, Goodmans LLP. We wish to express our thanks to Mr. Empey who made a valuable suggestion which we incorporated.

We have updated this blog for 2018 where 407 ETR has implemented some changes. Check out our blog 407 ETR RATES: THE ONLY 407 ETR RATES DEBT SETTLEMENT PLAN GUARANTEED TO ACTUALLY WORK for the update.

 

In January 2014 in our blog titled 407ETR FAIRNESS-ONTARIO COURT OF APPEAL ENSURES FRESH START we described to you the decision of the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 407 ETR Concession Company Limited v. Superintendent of Bankruptcy (In the Matter of the Bankruptcy of Matthew David Moore) (the Moore Decision).

The highway’s owners appealed that decision to the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC). On Friday, November 13, 2015, the SCC released three decisions all dealing with the same basic issue: does the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) take paramountcy over provincial laws purporting to deal with the issue of debt and bankruptcy in Canada. The SCC answer was a resounding YES!

What did the SCC decide about the provincial law about 407 debt settlement?

The SCC dismissed the appeal of the ETR. The SCC considered whether the plate denial provisions of the Highway 407 Act conflicted with the discharge provisions of the BIA. ETR’s position was that provincial law about plate denial should apply following a person’s discharge from bankruptcy. The Attorneys General for several provinces, including the Province of Ontario, advanced positions in support of the provinces’ jurisdiction to legislate in vehicle licensing.

The SCC’s decision upheld the Moore Decision which found that the discharge provisions of the BIA override the plate denial provisions of the Highway 407 Act.

What is the effect on ETR debt settlement?

The effect of the SCC’s decision is that pre-bankruptcy amounts owed to the ETR are deemed to be provable claims under the BIA and can no longer be collected through plate denial under the Highway 407 Act following a customer’s discharge from bankruptcy. Therefore, 407 etr debt settlement is possible.

Where a person has been discharged from bankruptcy and has pre-bankruptcy amounts in plate denial, which are provable claims under the BIA, 407 ETR will credit these amounts (plus interest and fees incurred on those amounts) on the person’s 407 ETR bill, upon receipt of a Notice of Bankruptcy, and an Order of Discharge or a Certificate of Discharge.

In both cases, once the amount owing is credited, then the person is free to get plate renewal from the Province.

What will 407 ETR do next?

407 ETR must and is abiding by the SCC decision. They will set up a protocol whereby those who have already been discharged from bankruptcy and have been denied a plate renewal will be able to prove they have been discharged, get the 407 ETR debt, including penalty and interest, reversed, and get a plate renewal.

Those who are still in the middle of their bankruptcy proceedings and not yet discharged will be able to apply to have a plate renewal, once they are discharged from bankruptcy and prove it to 407 ETR.

Interestingly enough, there was no evidence whatsoever in any of the Court cases, including this one before the SCC, as to the 407 ETR’s right to deny anyone credit. When you get your transponder, the 407 ETR is actually extending credit to you, in the form of use of the toll highway in return for the toll charges they expect you to pay. It is no different from the bank loaning you money, and expecting you to repay it in full, with interest.

Will 407 ETR deny extending credit to discharged bankrupts? Will they only issue a new transponder to discharged bankrupts who give them a large cash deposit so that use of the 407 ETR will only be on a “cash and carry” basis? We don’t know, they have so far been silent on the issue, but it is still early in the game.

Do you need 407 etr debt settlement and a plan for your other debts too?

Instead of going deeper into debt seek help from a professional trustee, even if you’re not considering bankruptcy at this stage. A trustee in bankruptcy will evaluate your situation and help you to arrive at the best possible solution for your problems, whether that solution is a bankruptcy alternative like credit counselling, debt consolidation or a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. With immediate action and the right plan, the Ira Smith Team can solve your financial problems Starting Over, Starting Now. We’re just a phone call away.

Call a Trustee Now!