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Corporate Bankruptcy in Canada: The Essential Truth On What Actually Happens to Your Company, Your Assets and You

A graphic that shows all the options available to either restructure a company or to use corporate bankruptcy in Canada to liquidate the company using Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc.

I hope you’re safe and well. If your Canadian company can’t pay its debts, it is understandable to worry about what happens next: to the business, its assets, its employees and you personally. Corporate bankruptcy in Canada is one possible route, but it is not the only one. The first step is to understand whether the business can be reorganized or whether an orderly wind-down is the more realistic path.

Corporate Bankruptcy in Canada: Key Takeaways

  • The first question is viability: can the company operate sustainably if its debt or operations are restructured?
  • A corporate bankruptcy in Canada is a legal process under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) administered by a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT). It does not automatically make directors bankrupt.
  • A Division I Proposal or a proceeding under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) may give a viable business time and legal protection to restructure.
  • In bankruptcy, the trustee administers the company’s property, subject to valid secured claims and statutory priorities. Ordinary unsecured creditors are generally near the end of the distribution order.
  • Personal guarantees and certain director liabilities, including some unremitted source deductions and GST/HST obligations, may survive the company’s filing.
  • Before deciding, gather current financial records and get advice on cash flow, secured debt, tax remittances, employee claims, guarantees and available restructuring options.

Highlights

 

Is my company viable, and why does that question come first?

In my first meeting with directors, I ask what the business would look like with a workable debt burden and enough cash to meet its ongoing obligations. I also ask whether there are parts of the business they would rather not continue and whether they could find a way to do that. Those questions help distinguish a reorganization, an attempt to change the company’s finances or operations so it can continue, from liquidation, the sale of assets to satisfy claims and wind down the business.

Viability is not simply whether the company has customers or valuable equipment. We look at realistic cash flow, operating costs, profitability potential, debt, the security granted to lenders, tax arrears, employee obligations and whether new financing or a restructuring plan is achievable. A business can be busy and still lose money on every job. It can also have a sound core business but be overwhelmed by debt, a temporary cash crunch or an unsustainable cost structure.

What owners are usually surprised to learn is that filing for corporate bankruptcy in Canada is not the first decision we have to make. We first need to understand the company’s position and compare realistic paths. That is how we avoid rushing into a process that may not serve the business or its stakeholders.

Business professionals reviewing a cash-flow forecast and discussing a potential recovery plan to avoid a corporate bankruptcy in Canada

As context, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) reported that Canadian business insolvencies in August 2026 were 4.9% higher than in August 2025, while business insolvencies over the 12 months ending August 2026 were 6.6% lower year over year. These are national figures, not a prediction for any one company. See the OSB’s August 2026 insolvency statistics.

 

What is corporate bankruptcy in Canada, exactly?

A corporation is a separate legal entity. When it becomes insolvent, it may make an assignment in bankruptcy under the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA). Insolvent generally means the company cannot meet its obligations as they become due, has stopped paying current obligations in the ordinary course, or has insufficient property to pay its obligations.

A Licensed Insolvency Trustee is a federally licensed professional authorized to administer bankruptcy and proposal proceedings. In a corporate bankruptcy in Canada, the trustee administers the corporation’s estate (the property and claims dealt with in the proceeding) and distributes available proceeds according to the law. Unlike an individual, a corporation does not receive a discharge that lets it resume life free of old debt. Bankruptcy is usually part of a wind-down, followed by the end of the business once the estate is administered.

The distinction matters for an unincorporated business. A sole proprietorship is not legally separate from its owner, and a partnership can expose partners to personal liability, depending on its structure and circumstances. Those situations may involve personal insolvency, not a corporation’s bankruptcy. The rules and consequences differ.

 

What are the reorganization paths: Division I Proposal and CCAA?

When a business has a credible path forward, a formal restructuring can provide time to negotiate with creditors and try to preserve value. The two main statutory routes are a Division I Proposal under the BIA and a CCAA proceeding.

A Division I Proposal is a formal offer to creditors to compromise or reschedule debts. It is administered by an LIT and can give the company a statutory stay. A pause on certain creditor enforcement actions. Under the BIA, section 69(1) applies to a Notice of Intention To Make a Proposal, and section 69.1(1) applies to a proposal. A proposal requires approval by the required majority in number and at least two-thirds in value of creditors who vote, followed by court approval. If creditors reject the proposal, or the court refuses to approve it, the company is automatically deemed to have made an assignment in bankruptcy. See the BIA provisions on proposals.

A CCAA proceeding is a court-supervised restructuring generally available to an insolvent company, or affiliated companies, with claims of at least $5 million. The court can grant a stay, appoint a monitor and oversee a plan or other restructuring steps. Creditors vote in classes; approval generally requires a majority in number and two-thirds in value of voting creditors in each class, followed by court sanction. For an overview, see the OSB’s CCAA information.

The CCAA threshold is not a cap on BIA proposals: a Division I Proposal is not limited to companies with less than $5 million in debt. The right process depends on the company’s needs, complexity, creditor structure and ability to fund a restructuring.

An informal workout is a negotiated agreement with creditors outside a formal court process. It may be less disruptive, but a creditor that has not agreed to the arrangement is generally not bound by it.

Which path might fit? This table is a high-level guide, not a recommendation for a particular company. Costs, outcomes and legal effects depend on the facts.

PathWhat it isWho it may suitCourt or court-free?What happens to the business?What happens to directors?Typical cost and main risk
BIA bankruptcy liquidationTrustee administers the corporation’s bankruptcy estate and realizes available assets.A company without a viable, fundable restructuring path.Formal statutory process; court involvement may arise in disputes or applications.Operations often stop or change; assets may be sold and the company wound down.Not automatically bankrupt; guarantees and statutory liabilities may remain.Fees and expenses depend on assets and complexity. Risk: insufficient proceeds and remaining personal exposure.
Division I ProposalBIA compromise or rescheduling of debts, administered by an LIT.A company with a workable plan and ability to meet proposal obligations.Formal process with creditor voting and court approval.May continue operating while it pursues the proposal, subject to the process and circumstances.Not automatically bankrupt; director protections or releases are not blanket guarantees.Professional and administration costs vary. Risk: rejection, failure to perform or deemed bankruptcy.
CCAAFlexible court-supervised restructuring under the CCAA, generally for claims of more than $5 million.A larger or more complex restructuring needing court-managed relief.Court-supervised; a monitor is appointed.May continue operating, restructure, sell assets or pursue another court-approved outcome.Directors remain responsible for their own legal obligations; court relief is case-specific.Usually significant professional and court costs. Risk: plan failure, value loss or unsuccessful financing.
Informal workoutVoluntary negotiation with creditors outside a statutory filing.A company able to negotiate and obtain necessary creditor cooperation.Court-free unless a dispute or later proceeding requires court action.Usually continues operating under agreed terms.Directors continue managing, subject to duties and any agreements or security rights.No single standard cost; advisory costs may apply. Risk: a non-consenting creditor may enforce its rights.

Scroll the table sideways to see every column. General information only. The appropriate process depends on the company’s facts, assets, liabilities, financing and objectives.

What actually happens in a corporate bankruptcy liquidation?

Prior to filing a voluntary corporate bankruptcy in Canada, it always begins with a review of the company’s financial position to understand which option is best for the company. Before any formal insolvency process under either the BIA or CCAA, a board resolution authorizing the filing is required. The LIT prepares the required documents, including a statement of affairs, which is a summary of the company’s assets, liabilities and creditors. The LIT files, in this case, a corporate assignment in bankruptcy with the OSB, which issues a Certificate of Appointment confirming the corporate bankruptcy in Canada event date and time, the trustee’s appointment and the date and time of the First Meeting of Creditors.

The trustee takes control of the bankruptcy estate and administers the company’s unencumbered assets. Unencumbered means not subject to a valid security interest or other property right. A secured creditor may have separate rights to its collateral, and those rights must be reviewed rather than assumed away by the filing.

The trustee notifies creditors, reviews claims, realizes on unencumbered assets where appropriate and reports on the administration. A meeting of creditors is held as required by the BIA. The trustee ultimately distributes funds according to the statutory scheme and the circumstances of the estate. The company may stop operating immediately upon filing or sometime thereafter, but the timing and steps depend on whether continuing operations briefly would preserve value or assist a sale.

Who gets paid first, and who is last?

No universal one-line order applies to every dollar or asset. A valid secured creditor generally looks first to the collateral covered by its security. Certain statutory claims can affect priority. For example, unremitted employee source deductions are a deemed-trust claim and rank ahead of secured claims. The treatment of GST/HST is not identical; the specific statute, timing and proceeding matter. In a corporate bankruptcy in Canada, the GST/HST claim becomes an unsecured claim.

After secured and statutory rights are addressed, the BIA provides for specified preferred claims, such as certain employee claims, ahead of ordinary unsecured claims. Suppliers and other ordinary unsecured creditors generally share in any available distribution after higher-ranking claims. Shareholders are last: they receive value only if all prior claims are paid, which is uncommon in an insolvent liquidation.

The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Century Services Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General), 2010 SCC 60, illustrates why tax priority cannot be assumed in every restructuring: the treatment of a Crown deemed trust depends on the statute and the insolvency proceeding. The practical benefit of a claim-by-claim review is that directors and creditors can make decisions based on actual priorities, not a generic list.

What does company failure mean for directors, guarantees and CRA?

Corporate bankruptcy in Canada does not automatically make its directors personally responsible for every corporate debt. But that does not mean directors are insulated from all consequences.

A director may face personal liability under applicable legislation for unremitted employee source deductions, including income tax withholdings, Canada Pension Plan contributions and Employment Insurance premiums. Directors may also face liability under GST/HST legislation in some circumstances. These claims have statutory conditions, time limits and potential due-diligence defences. The Canada Revenue Agency explains director liability in its information on directors’ liability. Get advice promptly if remittances are behind; delay can make it harder to understand the record and options.

A personal guarantee is different. It is a promise by an individual to pay a corporate debt if the company does not. A corporate bankruptcy in Canada does not by itself erase that promise. The guarantee’s wording, amount, security and the lender’s actions need to be reviewed by legal counsel.

If company shares become worthless, shareholders should also speak with a tax professional. A capital loss or allowable business investment loss may be available only if the relevant tax-law requirements are met. A bankruptcy filing alone does not automatically establish a deductible loss.

A business director reviewing payroll remittance records and tax documents with an insolvency professional in anticipation of a corporate bankruptcy in Canada filing

If you are a director or shareholder who has guaranteed debt or may face statutory liability, assess your personal finances separately. Personal bankruptcy or a consumer proposal is not automatic after corporate bankruptcy in Canada; it may be considered if personal debts cannot be managed. An LIT can explain the options in light of your own situation.

What alternatives are worth exploring before filing?

If the business may be viable, I recommend testing practical options quickly, not just hoping that cash flow improves. Depending on the facts, the following may be lifelines:

  1. Control cash flow. Prepare a short-term cash forecast, prioritize essential operating costs and identify spending that can be reduced without damaging revenue.
  2. Explore refinancing. New or restructured financing may help, but review its cost, security, guarantees and repayment capacity before committing.
  3. Consider shareholder funding. Additional capital or a shareholder loan may buy time, but it should be documented and assessed against the company’s full debt position.
  4. Negotiate an informal workout. Some creditors may accept revised payments or terms. The company needs to know which creditors must agree and what happens if one does not.
  5. Sell surplus assets. A sale can raise cash, but check ownership, security interests, tax consequences and whether the asset is essential to operations.

If the company is not viable, a secured lender may appoint a receiver under its security or seek a court-appointed receiver. Receivership is not the same as bankruptcy: a receiver generally takes control of specified property of the business for the secured creditor’s purposes, while a bankruptcy trustee administers the bankrupt corporation’s estate under the BIA for the benefit of the unsecured creditors. A receiver may continue operations temporarily to preserve sale value, but this is not a promise that the business will be rescued. The company’s security documents and circumstances determine the scope.

What should I do in the first 30 days?

The right timetable depends on the urgency. If enforcement, payroll or tax remittances are pressing, do not wait 30 days to seek advice. Start here:

  1. Gather the records: recent financial statements, bank statements, aged receivables and payables, tax filings, payroll records, leases, loan agreements and security documents.
  2. List all creditors and guarantees: identify amounts, arrears, collateral, court actions and any personal guarantees.
  3. Reconcile CRA accounts: separate source deductions, GST/HST, corporate income tax and other balances. Do not treat them as interchangeable.
  4. Build a realistic cash-flow forecast: show expected receipts and essential payments over the coming weeks, using realistic assumptions.
  5. Avoid unusual asset transfers or selective payments without advice: transactions made while insolvent may raise legal issues or be challenged.
  6. Speak with an LIT and, where needed, a business lawyer or accountant: ask what can be done immediately, which options are realistic and what each could mean for the company, directors, employees and creditors.

The point is not to create more paperwork. It is to replace uncertainty with a practical sequence of decisions.

What are common frequently asked questions (FAQ) about corporate insolvency?

Question 1 – How can a company come out of corporate bankruptcy in Canada?

Bankruptcy is generally a liquidation process, not a route for a corporation to receive a personal discharge and resume free of its debts. A business seeking to continue should consider a Division I Proposal or CCAA restructuring, if eligible and viable.

Question 2 – Do directors go bankrupt when the company does?

No. The corporation and its directors are separate legal persons. Directors may still have personal exposure under guarantees or specific statutes, but a personal insolvency filing is a separate decision.

Question 3 – What is the difference between bankruptcy and receivership?

A trustee administers a bankrupt company’s estate under the BIA, acting on behalf of the unsecured creditors. A receiver typically acts under a secured creditor’s rights or a court order over specified property or operations. The authority and purpose differ.

Question 4 – Can shareholders recover anything?

Possibly, but only if there is value left after secured claims, statutory priorities and all other creditor claims are satisfied. In a corporate bankruptcy in Canada liquidation, shareholders normally receive nothing.

Question 5 – How long does corporate bankruptcy in Canada take?

There is no single standard timeline. The duration depends on the assets, claims, disputes, tax matters, litigation and required steps to complete the administration.

Question 6 – What happens to employees?

A corporate bankruptcy in Canada automatically terminates the employment of the people by the company as employer. If the trustee continues operations in bankruptcy, a separate arrangement is established by the trustee to protect the trustee while paying the workers. Employees may have wage and other claims, and some eligible unpaid wages may be considered under the federal Wage Earner Protection Program. The facts and deadlines matter.

Can the company keep operating through a proposal?
Often, a company continues operating while pursuing a proposal, but it must manage its ongoing obligations and comply with the process. A proposal is not a guarantee that operations can continue indefinitely.

Starting Over, Starting Now

Don’t let financial uncertainty dictate your future. If you or your business is struggling with debt, losing sleep, or facing legal action, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. today.

We offer a free, confidential consultation to discuss your situation, explain your options in plain language, and help you develop a clear, actionable plan. Our team of Licensed Insolvency Trustees is dedicated to providing the compassionate, professional support you need to regain control and achieve a debt-free life.

Take the first step towards a brighter financial future, call us now.

Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is licensed by the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy. Ira and Brandon Smith are members of the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for educational purposes only and is based on the cited sources and professional expertise as a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. The information provided does not constitute legal or financial advice for your specific circumstances. Every situation is unique; the outcomes discussed may not apply to your particular case.

About the Author:
Ira Smith is President of Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc., a CPA CA and Licensed Insolvency Trustee.

A GTA business owner reviewing company books and a creditor letter alone at a desk after hours and considering corporate bankruptcy in Canada

#CorporateBankruptcy #BusinessInsolvency #DivisionIProposal #CCAA #CreditorPriority #DirectorLiability #CorporateBankruptcyInCanada #CorporateRestructuring #StartingOverStartingNow

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THE CANADIAN BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY ACT EASY BEGINNER’S GUIDE

We hope that you and your family are safe, healthy and secure during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is absolutely operational and Ira, in addition to Brandon Smith, is readily available for a telephone consultation or video meeting.

What is in the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act?

Canada’s bankruptcy and insolvency laws are governed by two major pieces of federal legislation: the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. Additionally, provincial legislation intersects with the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. During bankruptcy, a debtor can keep certain types of property based on provincial legislation. Details may differ amongst each Canadian province. Provincial governments and territories have their own laws regarding property exemptions, court orders, and debt collection.

The Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (often referred to as the “BIA” or the “Bankruptcy Act“) is a federal government statute that sets out the rules and procedures governing insolvency proceedings in Canada. These rules and procedures will apply to all corporations, individuals and partnerships that are parties to an insolvency filing. The whole point of bankruptcy legislation is to allow the honest but unfortunate debtor to shed themselves of their debts and to allow for the sale of assets or reorganization and refinancing of insolvent persons so that there is also fairness for the different claims of creditors.

Under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), financially troubled corporations are given the opportunity to restructure their affairs in order to avoid bankruptcy. A corporation must have debts of at least $5 million to qualify for the CCAA.

The Canadian insolvency landscape is a complex one, with many different insolvency proceedings being used to deal with many different types of debtors. In this Brandon Blog, I provide an easy beginner’s guide of the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, as a primer into Canadian insolvency legislation and the administration of estates.

This Brandon Blog is not about the nuts and bolts of filing for bankruptcy. Other blogs I have written cover that topic and more. You can use the search function above to search for those Brandon Blog topics.

What is the purpose of the Canadian Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act?

Everyone knows you should do your best to stay out of too much debt, but for many people, it’s an impossible feat. When you’re over your head in debt, you’re having to keep up just to pay the interest on your debt. When you are spending more than you are making, you can’t pay your bills on time, or your assets when liquidated are worth less than your total liabilities, you are insolvent. Insolvency is the main test to see if you, or insolvent companies, qualify to start a bankruptcy process or a formal restructuring process, either under the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act or the CCAA.

The Bankruptcy Act was designed to help Canadians who find themselves in financial difficulty. It is the main piece of Canadian insolvency legislation that governs bankruptcy proceedings, receivership and personal and corporate restructuring proceedings through consumer proposals and commercial proposals. Commercial proposals are also available for those people with consumer debt levels greater than the amount allowed to qualify for a consumer proposal. All Canadian bankruptcies, proposals and receiverships are governed by the Act. It contains bankruptcy laws, rules and guidelines for all stakeholders: the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (which is part of Industry Canada) the Licensed Insolvency Trustee, the debtor, and the creditors.

canadian bankruptcy and insolvency act
canadian bankruptcy and insolvency act

What options are available under the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act?

The Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act provides a number of ways to deal with a financially troubled company or person. Most involve a court-supervised process. The options for a person or business in financial trouble and not able to right themself or itself are:

  • Consumer proposal

It is an offer to your creditors to repay a portion of your unsecured debt obligations in exchange for their elimination (with certain limited exceptions as laid out in the Bankruptcy Act). You can qualify if you owe $250,000 or less, excluding any debts registered against your home, such as mortgage debt or secured home equity line of credit debt.

A person proposes a plan to make monthly payments to the Licensed Trustee acting as the consumer proposal Administrator. The total amount offered to your unsecured creditors must be agreed upon by them. Within 60 months, you must pay off the entire amount accepted. Creditors typically accept a total payment of 25% or less of your total unsecured debt. Individual situations vary, however.

A successfully completed consumer proposal allows the insolvent person to eliminate their debts and avoid an assignment into bankruptcy.

  • Commercial proposal

Commercial proposals are also known as Division I proposals. The reason for this is because it is provided under Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, Part III, Division 1 (consumer proposals are found under Part III Division II). An insolvent corporation or person can use it for restructuring proceedings. When a consumer’s debt exceeds the limits of a consumer proposal, a “commercial proposal” would be filed. If a definitive commercial proposal cannot be immediately prepared but the debtor needs to file in order to invoke the stay of proceedings (discussed in the next section), they can get the immediate protection they need by first filing a Notice of Intention To Make A Proposal.

A commercial proposal works in a very similar way to a consumer proposal, except for some differences as follows:

    • A commercial proposal may have various classes of creditors. A consumer proposal normally does not.
    • Unlike for a person, there is no streamlined reorganization process for companies. Therefore, even if its debt is $250,000 or less, a company cannot file a consumer proposal.
    • A meeting of creditors must be held as part of a commercial proposal. If the Official Receiver (being a representative of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy), doesn’t wish to chair the meeting, it can be delegated to the Trustee. A creditor who has filed a valid proof of claim has voting rights. They have the right to vote ahead of the creditors’ meeting by using a voting letter or in person. An official meeting of creditors is only held in a consumer proposal if 25% of the proven creditors’ claims request one.
    • In a consumer proposal, if a meeting is not requested, the consumer proposal is deemed approved and there are no voting rights to be concerned about. If a meeting is requested, then the creditors who attend the meeting can vote by ordinary resolution for the acceptance of the consumer proposal. In a commercial proposal, it is a two-pronged test: 3/4 of the $ value voting AND a majority in the number of those voting.
    • If the commercial proposal is voted down, the person or company is immediately deemed to have filed an assignment in bankruptcy. There is no such automatic bankruptcy if a consumer proposal is not accepted.

As soon as the commercial proposal is accepted by the creditors and approved by the court, the debtor starts making the payments promised in the proposal to the Insolvency Trustee. Once full payment has been made, the trustee in bankruptcy will issue to the person or company their Certificate of Full Performance. At this point, all provable claims, regardless of whether they filed a proof of claim or not.

As part of a successful restructuring process, the Trustee will run a claims process, vet every proof of claim to ensure that they are valid and that only an allowable claim is considered for distribution purposes. The Trustee will then comprise a scheme of distribution in order to distribute the funds promised to the creditors in the commercial proposal.

Restructuring under either the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act or CCAA becomes possible for companies with debts greater than $5 million.

  • Receivers and Secured Creditors

Receiverships are remedies for lenders who have loaned money out and taken security over the debtor’s assets. It is most common in Canada for financial institutions to be lenders to Canadian businesses. As long as their loan documents, including the security agreement, allow for it in writing, a secured creditor may appoint a receiver when a debtor defaults on secured debt. Secured creditors and receivers are subject to certain requirements under the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

Receivership relies both on provincial laws and federal legislation. The Bankruptcy Act specifies several main requirements for receivership, including:

    • It is not permissible to enforce a security interest on the business assets of an insolvent person unless the secured creditor has given 10 days prior notice in the prescribed form and manner.
    • Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustees (formerly called Trustees in Bankruptcy) can act as a receiver.

The secured creditor can appoint the receiver privately or with court approval.

A private receiver’s primary responsibility is to the secured creditor who appointed it. A court-appointed receiver is an officer of the court who protects the interests of all creditors of the debtor company.

Private receivers usually have from the security documents the power to run the debtor’s business and sell the debtor’s assets through auctions, tenders or private sales.

A court appointment is also preferred over a private appointment when there are significant claims against the debtor or its property as well as litigation or a threat of litigation. It is according to the provincial rules of court and s. 243 of the BIA (National Receiver) that a court may appoint a receiver.

The receivership order normally stays proceedings (discussed below in the next section) against the receiver, the debtor, and its property. In terms of its purpose, it gives the receiver authority to manage the assets of the debtor, to borrow money against the assets to repay a loan, to sell the assets of the debtor with the approval of the court, and to commence and defend litigation on behalf of the debtor. A privately-appointed receiver does not enjoy a stay of proceedings.

  • Bankruptcy

If a personal or commercial restructuring is not possible, then the insolvent person or company has no choice but to file for bankruptcy. The first step in dealing with insolvency is to consult an insolvency trustee. You can learn about the bankruptcy administration process and your legal rights from Trustees in Bankruptcy so you can make an informed decision. A candid discussion about how much you earn, what assets you own, and what types of debts you have can help you decide if bankruptcy is the best choice for you.

Here is what the Canadian bankruptcy procedure is all about. After the bankruptcy assignment has been completed, the Trustee submits it to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada. All legal obligations will be handled by the Trustee once the assignment has been filed. Your credit­ors will no longer receive payments directly from you.

The Trustee administers your bankruptcy. No more lawsuits or wage garnishments for you. Depending on your province’s law, some of your assets will certainly be exempt. The bankruptcy vests your non-exempt assets in the Trustee. The Trustee will sell them. According to the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the proceeds will be for the benefit of the bankrupt estate and there could be a scheme of distribution among your preferred creditors and ordinary unsecured creditors.

In the administration of bankruptcy, the Trustee will send your creditors a notice of bankruptcy. You must attend a creditors’ meeting if one is called. Additionally, you will need to attend two counselling sessions. Canadian insolvency legislation in Canada includes rehabilitation programs to help individuals regain financial stability.

Finally, you may need to make payments toward your debt. “Surplus income payments” ensure that people who declare bankruptcy and have sufficient income contribute to paying back a portion of their debt. Your debts will eventually be discharged, relieving you from the obligation of repaying most of the debt you had on the day you filed for bankruptcy.

Despite the fact that most debts can be discharged, some cannot, namely:

  • alimony and child support;
  • court fines and penalties;
  • debts related to fraud; and some
  • student loans.

You will suffer credit damage for several years after filing for bankruptcy. After your debt is discharged, you can start rebuilding your credit. Although it’s not ideal, it will lift the burden from your shoulders and solve the debt problems you couldn’t resolve on your own.

Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act: Can bankruptcy protect you from creditors?

In addition to bankruptcy, any filing listed above under the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act will protect you from creditors. In fairness to all stakeholders, the filing calls for a “time out” after which no claims for money, lawsuits, or collection efforts are permitted. In legal jargon, we call this a stay of proceedings.

By virtue of the individual’s bankruptcy or insolvency, you may not terminate, amend, or accelerated pay, or claim the term of any agreement. When an insolvent person files a notice of intention or a proposal, a similar provision is made.

Just like in bankruptcy, if you file a notice of intention or a Division I proposal or Division II proposal, all proceedings automatically stay and no creditor is entitled to take any action against the debtor or to pursue any execution or other proceeding for the recovery of a claim provable.

Commercial proposals are normally worded so that Directors of insolvent companies who have filed notices of intention or proposals enjoy similar protection.

canadian bankruptcy and insolvency act
canadian bankruptcy and insolvency act

A word on cross-border insolvencies

Many of the large CCAA reorganization filings in recent times have been cross-border insolvencies. Canadian courts prefer that cross-border insolvencies proceed as a single process with one jurisdiction acting as the primary entity. The Canadian court examines whether the Canadian case should be considered the main proceeding in order to determine whether it is significant and connected to Canada.

The other jurisdiction (most often the U.S.) usually recognizes the Canadian court’s authority when the court believes the insolvency action should be handled, for the most part, in Canada. Likewise, the opposite is also true.

Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act: Personal bankruptcy

canadian bankruptcy and insolvency act
canadian bankruptcy and insolvency act

Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act summary

I hope you found this Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act Brandon Blog informative. With too high household debt levels and not enough wealth, you are insolvent. You can choose from several insolvency processes to get the debt relief that you need and deserve. It may not be necessary for you to file for bankruptcy.

If you or your business are dealing with substantial debt challenges, you need debt help, and you assume bankruptcy is the only option, call me.

If you’re thinking about bankruptcy, you’re probably in a situation where you’re overwhelmed, frightened, and feel like you’re alone. That’s natural and it is not your fault.

It’s good that you’ve come to this site, where you’ll find answers to your questions, sort through your options, and discover that you can get help. You’re not alone, and the professionals at Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. are committed to helping you find a debt solution that’s best for you.

It is not your fault that you remain in this way. You have actually been only shown the old ways to try to deal with financial issues. These old ways do not work anymore.

The Ira Smith Team utilizes new modern-day ways to get you out of your debt difficulties with debt relief options as an alternative to bankruptcy. We can get you the relief you need and so deserve. Our professional advice will create for you a personalized debt-free plan for you or your company during our no-cost initial consultation.

You are under a lot of pressure. Our team knows how you feel. You and your financial and emotional problems will be the focus of a new approach designed specifically for you. With our help, you will be able to blow away the dark cloud over your head. We will design a debt settlement strategy for you. We know that we can help you now.

We understand that people with credit cards maxed out and businesses facing financial issues need a realistic lifeline. There is no “one solution fits all” method with the Ira Smith Team. Not everyone has to file bankruptcy in Canada. The majority of our clients never do as we know the alternatives to bankruptcy. We help many people and companies stay clear of filing an assignment in bankruptcy.

Because of this, we can develop a new method for paying down your debt that will be built specifically for you. It will be as unique as the economic problems and discomfort you are experiencing. If any one of these seems familiar to you and you are serious about getting the solution you need to become debt-free, contact the Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. group today.

Call us now for a no-cost consultation.

canadian bankruptcy and insolvency act
canadian bankruptcy and insolvency act

We hope that you and your family are safe, healthy and secure during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is absolutely operational and Ira, in addition to Brandon Smith, is readily available for a telephone consultation or video meeting.

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DECLARING BANKRUPTCY IN CANADA: NEVER WORRY WHAT TO DO AGAIN WITH THESE AWESOME TIPS

declaring bankruptcy in canada
declaring bankruptcy in canada

Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is absolutely operational and Ira, in addition to Brandon Smith, is readily available for a telephone consultation or video meeting.

If you would prefer to listen to the audio version of this declaring bankruptcy in Canada Brandon Blog, please scroll to the bottom and click play on the podcast.

Declaring bankruptcy in Canada: Introduction

Declaring bankruptcy in Canada is a legal process through which you may be discharged from your financial obligations (with certain minor exceptions). Its purpose is to permit an honest but unfortunate debtor to obtain a discharge from many financial debts, based on affordable conditions.

The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) is charged with the administration of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) (BIA), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) and their respective rules. All documents associated with filings under either of those Acts can be found at the OSB’s internet site. The OSB likewise licenses and supervises the actions of licensed insolvency trustees (LITs ). LITs are accredited to:

  • administer the estates of bankrupts;
  • manage alternatives to bankruptcy such as consumer proposals and commercial proposals in order for debtors to get creditor protection and restructure in order to avoid bankruptcy; and
  • serve as a monitor under the CCAA.

When can you declare bankruptcy in Canada?

Any insolvent person in financial difficulty can declare bankruptcy in Canada any time through a bankruptcy assignment after they have seen a licensed insolvency trustee and made suitable arrangements for the Trustee to administer handle the bankruptcy administration. The bankruptcy trustee prepares the necessary documents for the debtor to sign for filing for bankruptcy.

The licensed trustee then files certain legal documents with the OSB. The OSB then issues its Certificate to evidence the bankruptcy of the person or company. The date and time indicated on the Certificate are when a voluntary bankruptcy starts.

If you are not able to get a LIT to accept your data, or if you cannot afford to work with a LIT in order to declare bankruptcy in Canada, the OSB’s Bankruptcy Assistance Program might have the ability to help. This is provided that you are not and have actually not just recently been, involved in commercial activities or you are not in jail.

What happens when you declare bankruptcy in Canada?

There are three different avenues that can have someone declare bankruptcy in Canada:

  1. Voluntary assignment – A financially troubled insolvent person or company can make a voluntary assignment in bankruptcy. This is where they voluntarily make a general assignment in bankruptcy for the general benefit of all of their creditors.
  2. Bankruptcy application – A creditor who is owed at least $1,000 on an unsecured basis submits an application to the court for obtaining a bankruptcy order against the debtor and the debtor’s property.
  3. Deemed bankruptcy – When a debtor who has made the choice to start an insolvency process under the BIA to gain debt relief through trying to restructure their unsecured debt, has fallen short to satisfy the requirements for:
    1. submitting a Division I proposal;
    2. gaining the necessary votes in favour of the proposal from the unsecured creditors; or
    3. obtaining court approval for the proposal.

Under a deemed bankruptcy, the moment the debtor fails in one of these ways, the BIA says that the debtor is deemed to have made an assignment in bankruptcy.

The bankrupt is able to earn a living after filing for bankruptcy. For this objective, the bankrupt can work or run a company, after the bankruptcy event. However, an undischarged bankrupt cannot be a director of a company. Also, upon the onset of the bankruptcy, the debtor must turn over to the licensed insolvency trustee, any shares of companies owned by the bankrupt.

The Trustee will send a notice to your creditors informing them of the bankruptcy. If there needs to be a meeting of creditors, the Trustee will hold it. The Trustee will also provide the bankrupt person with two credit counselling/financial counselling sessions with an individual who is an OSB qualified credit counsellor from the Trustee’s office, as part of the overall bankruptcy administration.

As you can see, not every way of declaring bankruptcy in Canada is totally voluntary.

declaring bankruptcy in canada
declaring bankruptcy in canada

Declaring bankruptcy in Canada: What assets do you lose in bankruptcy?

One of the most important tasks a Trustee has in the entire personal bankruptcy process or corporate bankruptcy process after the debtor chose declaring bankruptcy in Canada is to:

  • take an inventory of the debtor’s assets;
  • make sure they are physically secure and insured;
  • formulate a plan to sell the assets for the most amount possible under the circumstances;
  • review the financial affairs of the bankrupt, including the household income and financial situation of the bankrupt in a personal bankruptcy filing, and prepare a report to the creditors; and
  • then pay a dividend to the creditors.

There are however certain exemptions allowed for people. Few are based on federal law. Most are based on provincial law. So exempt assets may differ from province to province. In Ontario, assets that are exempt, and therefore not subject to seizure by a Trustee, are:

  • The equity in your home of no greater than $10,000.
  • A vehicle with an equity value of no more than $6,000.
  • Garments and medical/dental aids.
  • Household furnishings up to a worth of $13,100.
  • Tools of the trade with a value of no greater than $11,300.
  • Pension plans, RRIF, RRSP (other than any kind of RRSP payments made within 12 months of the date of bankruptcy).
  • Farmers– no greater than $29,100 for animals and also tools & equipment.

Even though someone has decided that filing bankruptcy is the route they must go, there are certain assets they will not have to give up.

Declaring bankruptcy in Canada: Does Bankruptcy clear tax debt in Canada?

The short answer is yes. Income taxes payable calculated on your tax return but not paid is a type of debt that is released when a person gets their bankruptcy discharge. However, you should know that there is a wrinkle for anyone who owes $200,000 or more in income tax debt and if that debt to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) equals 75% or more of the total unsecured proven claims in the bankruptcy. If that is the case, then that affects the bankrupt’s ability to get a discharge after declaring bankruptcy in Canada.

If it is the person’s first time filing bankruptcy and they do not have to make surplus income payments, then they are still entitled to a discharge after 9 months from the date of bankruptcy. If it is their first time but they do have surplus income payments, then they cannot apply for a discharge until after 21 months.

If this is the person’s second time filing bankruptcy, if they do not have any surplus income payments, then rather than being able to apply for a discharge after 9 months, they must wait 24 months. If they do have surplus income payments, then it is extended to 36 months.

If someone has been bankrupt more than one time before and has at least $200,000 of income tax debt representing 75% or more of the total proven unsecured claims, then regardless of their surplus income payment situation, they must wait 36 months.

Such a bankrupt is called a high tax debtor. A high tax debtor is not entitled to have the Trustee issue an automatic bankruptcy discharge when the time has expired. Rather, there must be a court hearing for the bankrupt’s application for discharge.

CRA will oppose an absolute discharge at least on the basis of the fact that they are a high tax debtor. The Trustee does not have to oppose the discharge on this basis. However, if the bankrupt has failed to live up to any of their duties, including making the required surplus income payment, the Trustee will oppose.

The court will make a conditional order of discharge. At least one of the conditions will be to pay a certain amount to the Trustee for the benefit of the unsecured creditors. The amount depends on the unique circumstances of that bankrupt, but you can assume that the amount will be about 25% of the income tax owing.

So anyone how has income tax debt and is contemplating declaring bankruptcy in Canada, needs to look at their total liabilities carefully. If at all possible, you do not want to be a high tax debtor when declaring bankruptcy in Canada.

Declaring bankruptcy in Canada: What debt does bankruptcy not cover?

Some people think that in a personal bankruptcy filing, the bankruptcy filing itself is what eliminates the person’s debts. That is wrong. At the moment of declaring bankruptcy in Canada, nothing actually happens to your debts. It is the person’s discharge from bankruptcy that “discharges” the person from their debts.

Yet, there is still a category of debts that are not covered and not discharged when a personal bankruptcy discharge occurs. The debts that are not covered or discharged, are outlined in section 178(1) of the BIA. These such debts are:

  • any type of penalty, fine, restitution order or other order comparable in nature to a penalty, fine or restitution order, enforced by a court in regard of an offence, or any kind of debt developing out of a recognizance or bond;
  • any damages award by a court in civil process for:

    ( i) physical injury intentionally caused, or sexual assault, or

    ( ii) wrongful death resulting therefrom;
  • any type of financial debt or responsibility for spousal support or alimentary pension;
  • any kind of financial obligation or liability developing under a judgment establishing an association or about support or maintenance, or under an agreement for maintenance and support of a spouse, former spouse, previous common-law companion or child not living with the bankrupt;
  • any type of financial obligation or liability occurring out of fraudulence, embezzlement, misappropriation or defalcation while acting in a fiduciary capacity or, in the Province of Quebec, as a trustee or administrator of the property of others;
  • any financial debt or liability resulting from getting property or services by false pretenses or fraudulent misrepresentation, apart from a debt or responsibility that arises from an equity claim;
  • liability for the dividend that a creditor would have been qualified to receive on any kind of provable claim not disclosed to the trustee unless the creditor had notification or understanding of the bankruptcy and fell short to take reasonable activity to confirm the claim; or
  • student loans if the bankruptcy filing happened before the person stopped being a full or part-time student or within seven years after the day on which the bankrupt stopped to be a complete- or part-time student

Declaring bankruptcy in Canada summary

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