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IT WILL BE EASY TO BEAT PM TRUDEAU’S VIEW OF WHAT DEFINES THE MIDDLE CLASS IN CANADA

what defines the middle class in Canada, Canada middle class definition, middle class in Canada, tax hike, middle class, Canada’s middle class, federal tax rate, debts, trustee, financial plan, living paycheque to paycheque, Debate (Quotation Subject), Politics (TV Genre), Justin Trudeau (Politician), Stephen Harper (Politician), federal, federal election 2015, Canadian federal election 2015 What defines the middle class in Canada?

Canada’s newly elected federal Liberal government wishes to show what defines the middle class in Canada. It has plans to raise income taxes on the wealthy; but what does that really mean and what effect, if any, will it have on Canada’s middle class? Canada’s middle class has really been struggling and this is a plight that we have discussed in several blogs.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Report

There is a new report out by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). Canada “has become a low-tax jurisdiction for the affluent compared to the U.S.,” the report says. It found that the average top marginal tax rate in the U.S., when combining federal and state taxes, is 47.9 per cent. In Canada, the average combined federal and provincial rate is 45.7 per cent. “In fact, during Canada’s high growth years between 1940 and 1980, the top marginal income tax rate was well over 70 per cent. … Our federal government used to ask more of Canada’s richest one per cent. There are plenty of reasons to do so again.”

Will the campaign trail have been what defines the middle class in Canada?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned to create a new tax bracket for Canada’s highest earners (the top 1% who earn over $200,000 per year). He stated it in every debate and he made it an important part of politics. He differentiated himself and the Liberal party from Stephen Harper and the Conservative party on this issue. It was always front and centre in the Canadian federal election 2015.

He proposed raising the top federal tax rate to 33%. It is presently at 29%. And he promised to lower taxes slightly for middle earners; however he did not define what he meant by lowering taxes slightly. So does he even know what defines the middle class in Canada?

The middle class may still not be better off under the Liberals

The study by the CCPA doesn’t agree with the number that Prime Minister Trudeau is proposing. Instead the CCPA believes that Canada’s 1% should have a federal tax rate of 65%. They estimate that this would amount to an extra $27,700 in taxes, on an average income of $289,000. The CCPA’s argument is that the 65% rate would bring in an additional $15.8 billion to $19.3 billion in revenue annually. With this money Canada could potentially provide free post-secondary education and cover the costs of infrastructure projects. Of course as you can imagine this is a hotly contested subject with no definitive answers.

The reality is that Canada’s middle class is still struggling. It’s difficult to consider the plight of Canada’s 1% when most Canadians are living paycheque to paycheque. Unless Prime Minister Trudeau will direct some of the new tax revenue into programs that directly help Canada’s middle class, I doubt that it is new infrastructure projects and free post-secondary education (even for children of the 1%?) that anyone wants to be the new Canada middle class definition, or to be what defines the middle class in Canada.

Do you have too much debt and are living paycheque to paycheque?

If you are struggling financially and feel overwhelmed by mounting debts, there is help out there. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc today. With a solid financial plan and immediate action we can help put your financial worries behind you Starting Over, Starting Now.

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# VIDEO: THE HISTORY OF CONSUMER PROPOSAL DEFINITION #

consumer proposal definition, starting over starting now, trustee, BIA, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, debt, bankruptcy, trustee in bankruptcy, consumer proposal, debts, Office of the Superintendent of BankruptcyConsumer Proposal definition

It is important to know what the consumer proposal definition is. A consumer proposal is a relatively new addition to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA), even though it has been around for 23 years. Although the origins of the current BIA can be traced back to the original 1869 An Act respecting Insolvency, the consumer proposal section was enacted with the 1992 amendments to the BIA.

According to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, the consumer proposal definition is:

“A consumer proposal is a formal, legally binding process that is administered by a bankruptcy trustee. In this process, the trustee will work with you to develop a “proposal”—an offer to pay creditors a percentage of what is owed to them, or extend the time you have to pay off the debts, or both. The term of a consumer proposal cannot exceed five years.

Payments are made through the trustee, and the trustee uses that money to pay each of your creditors.”

My consumer proposal definition

My consumer proposal definition is THE GREAT alternative to bankruptcy. It’s available only to people, whose total debts do not exceed $250,000, not including debts secured by their principal residence. Working with a trustee in bankruptcy you make a consumer proposal to:

  • Pay your creditors a percentage of what you owe them over a specific time
  • Extend the time you have to pay off the debt
  • Or a combination of both

Watch this short video

I hope that you enjoy the video. Most people facing financial challenges, or insurmountable debt that they can never repay, cannot focus on the consumer proposal definition. We understand that what you need is an experienced trustee to recommend you solutions tailored specifically to your situation. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. for sound, professional advice and a solid financial plan for Starting Over, Starting Now.

 

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▓ VIDEO: CONSUMER PROPOSAL VS. PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY ▓

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This short video (found at the bottom of this page) explains the differences between a consumer proposal vs. personal bankruptcy. A consumer proposal is a deal to end your debts. A consumer proposal is a legally binding process that is administered by a licensed trustee. Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is a Toronto bankruptcy trustee and consumer proposal administrator.

We have written previous blogs about consumer proposals, including:

We offer personal bankruptcy and consumer proposal services, as well as corporate restructuring and corporate receivership and bankruptcy services to residents of the Greater Toronto Area. We explain the differences between a consumer proposal vs. personal bankruptcy. In most cases we can get a consumer proposal done and it usually results in a substantial reduction in the amount you have to repay. The amount you are required to pay when you file a consumer proposal depends on a number of factors as explained in this short video. We hope that you find the short video informative and interesting. If you have any topics about debt, insolvency or finances that you would like us to cover in future videos, please let us know by leaving a comment.

If you are experiencing financial problems, or you know that you are insolvent and are considering a consumer proposal vs. personal bankruptcy, or looking at all of your realistic options, including all alternatives to bankruptcy, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. We offer sound advice, a free consultation and a solid plan for Starting Over, Starting Now so that you’ll be well on your way to a debt free life in no time.

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DEATH OF A DEBTOR: WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEBTS?

death of a debtor, paycheque to paycheque, debt, debts, trustee, student loans, financial disaster, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, Starting Over Starting NowWhen you think of death of a debtor, you can’t help but be reminded of Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize winning play written in 1949 and still timely today. The play was essentially an attack on the American dream of materialism as embodied by the central character, Willy Loman. His entire life he lived paycheque to paycheque, waiting for his big break that never came. All the while the debts kept piling up. One day Willy Loman was fired and as a result he took his own life leaving his family to deal with the death of a debtor.

From time to time, we are consulted regarding insolvent estates of deceased persons.

When the death of a debtor occurs, who is responsible for the debts?

  • Although some creditors may try to collect from the spouse or other family members, debts do not transfer by virtue of marriage or death unless the debt is “joint” in which case the survivor will be required to pay the balance of the account.
  • Debts are normally paid out of the assets of the estate of the deceased before distributions are made to heirs (before any money can be distributed to heirs, all the proven debts must be paid).
  • If the estate is insolvent (the assets of the estate are not sufficient to pay the debts), then the order of payment is normally prescribed by provincial legislation.
  • If warranted, the executors can make application to Bankruptcy Court for an order allowing them to assign the deceased’s estate into bankruptcy. In that event, then the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the federal legislation, will prescribe the order of payment.
  • If there is no money in the estate to pay the debt and if the debt is only in the name of the deceased person, the credit grantor will be left with no option but to write off the debt as uncollectible.

Some debts may be extinguished upon the death of the debtor:

  • Insured mortgages
  • Insured loans
  • The Canada Student Financial Assistance Act provides for some student loans to be repaid by the federal government in the event of the student’s death or permanent disability.

Make sure you know and understand the state of your finances before you have to deal with death of a debtor. If you’re living from paycheque to paycheque and on the edge of financial disaster, contact a professional trustee today. The Ira Smith team can help you solve your financial problems with immediate action and the right plan so that Starting Over, Starting Now you can enjoy financial freedom.

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HOLIDAY DEBT; ARE YOU DROWNING IN IT?

Some debts are fun when you are acquiring them, but none are fun when you set about debt, debts, holiday debt, New Year’s resolutions, budget, credit counselling, debt consolidation, consumer proposal, bankruptcy, bankruptcy alternatives, starting over starting now
retiring them.

Ogden Nash

Holiday debt; every year, one of the top New Year’s resolutions is to reduce debt and 2015 is no exception. In December, Equifax Canada reported that the average Canadian household was $20,891 in debt. In spite of already carrying a dangerously high debt load, many Canadians threw caution to the wind, and without a financial plan and/or a budget, they spent way too much money to burden themselves with holiday debt.

After the spending spree was over, many Canadians made New Year’s resolutions to pay off debt in 2015. CIBC did a poll on Canadian’s financial priorities for 2015 and reported the following:

  • Paying off what they owe: 22%
  • Building savings: 12%
  • Paying bills or getting by: 10%
  • Budgeting or managing day-to-day spending: 9%

No one’s ever achieved financial fitness with a January resolution that’s abandoned by February.

Suze Ormon

 

The reality is that January has now arrived and so have the credit card bills, with the holiday debt showing up for payment. You have no idea how you’re going to pay these bills but you made resolutions to pay them.

Without vision you don’t see, and without practicality the bills don’t get paid.

Paul Engle

You need more than resolutions and good intentions to pay off your holiday debt; you need professional help in the form of a trustee. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. as soon as possible. If you’re in serious debt, from holiday debt or otherwise, there are many options including credit counselling, debt consolidation, consumer proposal and bankruptcy. We approach every file with the attitude that financial problems can be solved given immediate action and the right plan for you. Debt is an enemy that can be conquered and Starting Over, Starting Now we can get you back on the path towards a debt free life.

Don’t let holiday debt ruin your 2015 so early in the New Year. Take positive action by contacting us today!

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SENIORS ACQUIRING MORE DEBT DELAYS RETIREMENT

debts, debt, retirement, credit counselling, credit card debt, line of credit, trustee, starting over starting now, seniors acquiring more debtSeniors acquiring more debt seems to be more the norm than the commercials featuring retirees driving convertible sports cars, travelling to exotic locations and wining and dining in upscale restaurants, you’ve no doubt watched. The question that seniors acquiring more debt must be asked is will debts prevent your retirement?

Seniors acquiring more debt are not going to be living the life of luxury depicted on television. How many of you are drowning in so much debt that retirement isn’t even an option? According to the BMO Retirement Institute debt is the number one barrier preventing Canadians from saving for retirement and that their priority should be to retire free of debt, including a home mortgage.

The reality is:

  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling says one-third of its 3 million clients last year were 55 or older.
  • More than 41% of families with heads of household between age 55 and 64 had credit card debt in 2010 (up from 33% in 1989), according to the AARP Public Policy Institute and the Demos research group.
  • The median total debt for 55- to 64-year-old households is $76,600, says the Employee Benefits Research Institute.

Among those retired Canadians with debt, a Harris/Decima poll for CIBC found:

  • 37% are juggling two or more debt payments a month
  • 39% are carrying credit card debt
  • 30% have debt on their line of credit
  • 16% are carrying debt on their mortgage, and
  • 14% have loan debt

What should seniors acquiring more debt, or anyone with too much debt, to get debt under control? Make a budget, stick to it and pay down high interest debt like credit card debt. If these measures are not enough to deal with your debt issues, you need professional help.

Seniors acquiring more debt should contact a professional trustee as soon as possible. The Ira Smith team are here to help. With a cumulative 50+ years of experience, we deliver the highest quality of professional service. We offer practical advice so you can clearly see the way to move forward Starting Over, Starting Now. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. today.

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DEBT COLLECTORS: WHAT TO DO IF THEY ARE CALLING YOU

debt collectorsDebt collectors.

Their job is to make you so miserable that you will pay off the amount they are attempting to collect. Last week we discussed debt issues that become so serious they’re referred to collection agencies. For many Canadians living paycheque to paycheque, any unexpected expense that comes up can disturb a very delicate balance and before you know it, you’ve missed a payment or defaulted on a loan. This triggers an unfortunate series of events and now in addition to the serious debt, you are being pursued by debt collectors from the collection agency. Some of them can make your life very unpleasant but you do have rights.

What are your rights? Collection agencies are regulated and each province has its own rules and regulations. In Ontario, the Ministry of Consumer Services regulates collection agencies through the administration of the “Collection Agencies Act”. If a collection agency behaves inappropriately, file a complaint with the Ministry. You have rights:

  • You must be notified in writing through the mail (not email) that your file has been given to a collection agency before they can start calling
  • The notice must include the name of the creditor (the person or business that says you owe them money), the amount the creditor says you owe, and the name of the collection agency and its authority to demand payment on behalf of the creditor
  • After sending the notice, the agency must wait 6 days before they can contact you in person or by phone.

The collection agency cannot:

  • Contact you on Sunday, except between the hours of 1 PM and 5 PM
  • Contact you on any other day of the week between the hours of 9 PM and 7 AM
  • Contact you on a statutory holiday
  • Use threatening, profane, intimidating or coercive language
  • Use undue, excessive or unreasonable pressure

The collection agency cannot continue to contact you if:

  • You send a registered letter to the agency saying that you dispute the debt and suggest the matter be taken to court.
  • You (or your lawyer) send a registered letter to the agency providing your lawyer’s contact information and notifying the collection agency to communicate only with your lawyer.
  • You have told them that you are not the person they are looking for unless they take reasonable precautions to ensure you are that person.

What should you do? The best thing to do about a collection agency and its debt collectors calling you is to deal with not only the people from the collection agency are trying to collect, but all of your debts. The best time to deal with them ideally is once you sense there is a problem and before they are referred to a collection agency.

If the debt collectors are calling you, it’s not too late to call a trustee. Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. is full-service insolvency and financial restructuring practice serving companies and individuals throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) facing financial crisis or bankruptcy that need a plan for Starting Over, Starting Now. Contact us today for a solid plan for dealing with your debts so that you can get back on track to living a debt free life.

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BAD CREDIT LOANS GUARANTEED APPROVAL

bad credit loans guaranteed approval, debt, starting over starting now, financial help, trustee, professional licensed bankruptcy trustee, licensed trustee, personal financial management, financial problems, creditor, bankruptcy trustee, danger signs, debts, personal loans, credit cards, payday loans, living paycheque to paycheque, uncontrolled debt, bad credit loans, debt free life, professional financial helpIf you are searching for bad credit loans guaranteed approval, then you already know that one of the more frightening feelings common in the modern world is falling into debt and not knowing how to get out. Debt has a way of sneaking up and overwhelming us before we realize what is going on.

Many people have not had the training in personal financial management needed to stay out of debt, and they are in need of guidance from someone who has this expertise for resolving their financial problems. Unfortunately, people in this situation often get into more trouble by looking for bad credit loans guaranteed approval by a new creditor rather than finding the help they really need from a bankruptcy trustee.

Bad Credit Loans Guaranteed Approval

If you find yourself typing the above search term into your search engine, you may well be looking at one of the danger signs that you are in need of professional help in dealing with your debts. Other signs that debt is out of hand include:

  1. not having any savings;
  2. taking personal loans from family or friends;
  3. missing payments on credit cards, mortgage, or rent;
  4. using your credit card for buying groceries and other necessities;
  5. relying on credit cards to get from one payday to the next;
  6. not knowing the total amount you owe; and
  7. not being able to manage living paycheque to paycheque.

The worry and stress created by these pressures makes finding a way out of the situation even harder. Uncontrolled debt can take a big toll on family life and reduce, or eliminate, the resources for relaxation and leisure, leaving the person with no time to even look for the light at the end of the tunnel. I can assure you from all of the cases we have handled, a bad credit loans guaranteed approval company is not a solution to your overall debt problem.

As the debt mounts, the prospect of looking at the whole picture becomes even more overwhelming. However, looking objectively at your whole situation is the most important first step for resolving the crisis, and this is exactly what you can gain by using the assistance and perspective of a professional licensed bankruptcy trustee. I can look at your situation clearly as a third party, and I will not charge you for that consultation. So all you have to lose, is your debt!

Avoiding Bad Credit Loans Guaranteed Approval

If you have found yourself seeking more bad credit loans, consider turning in a new direction that can lead you out of debt forever. Take a deep breath, step back for a moment and have a consultation with a licensed bankruptcy trustee who can help you in facing the full dimensions of your problem and then devise a plan that moves you toward a debt free life.

We have written several blogs about the high amounts charged by bad credit loans guaranteed approval companies and how they take advantage of people at their weakest moment, and you may wish to read some of them. They include: BAD CREDIT LOANS TORONTO: LEGIT COMPANIES DON’T GUARANTEE THEM, PAYDAY LOANS ARE NOT THE ANSWER TO YOUR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, and THE CASH STORE ONTARIO: THIS PAYDAY LOAN OUTFIT NEEDED HELP AND CALLED A TRUSTEE! If you read these blogs, you will see why we say that a bad credit loans guaranteed approval company is not the way to solve your financial problems.

If debt has overwhelmed your life and you are still looking for more, that is a definite warning sign that it is time for professional financial help. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. immediately. We will evaluate your situation and provide you with a solid plan for moving forward so that Starting Over, Starting Now you can live a debt free life.

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CONSUMER PROPOSALS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

CONSUMER PROPOSALS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWBefore contemplating a bankruptcy, those who have too much debt should give strong consideration to consumer proposals, one of the alternatives to bankruptcy. As long as you owe less than $250,000, this is possible. This limitation excludes any mortgage you have for your home.

The advantage of consumer proposals

Consumer proposals gives individuals a chance to reorganize their finances and get back on their feet without having to go through a bankruptcy. By avoiding bankruptcy, a person’s credit rating is not seriously damaged. In addition, after all of the debts are dealt with, through consumer proposals, people have a strong feeling of accomplishment and self-worth.

Consulting with a bankruptcy trustee to find out more about consumer proposals

The first step in pursuing a consumer proposal is to meet with a bankruptcy trustee to evaluate your financial circumstances. The trustee will help draft a proposal for your creditors based upon your finances. If the proposal is accepted, you will then make your payments directly to the trustee. The exact form a proposal will take is dependent upon many variables.

In some circumstances, you may be paying only a partial amount of the debt you owe over time. In other circumstances, the debt will not be reduced, but reorganized in a way that gives you a chance to pay it all back. In consumer proposals, no further interest or fees can be charged. Sometimes it is just a longer period of time to pay back the debt. Either way, consumer proposals should be thought of as providing you with the equivalent of an interest-free loan. Whatever the final proposal is, it will help bring needed relief to your financial situation.

After filing a consumer proposal

From the time your consumer proposal is filed, you will no longer be making any payments directly to your creditors provided that the debt is unsecured. Any wage garnishment that is in place is suspended while the proposal is examined by your creditors. Lawsuits over debt recovery are also placed on hold. The proposal and the accompanying trustee’s report will provide details on your personal finances and will include an explanation of how your debts became such a problem that it has led to a need to reorganize the debt structure. Your creditors will have up to 45 days to decide to accept the offer or not. If one or more of your creditors is owed more than a fourth of the total debt, they have the right to request a meeting with you and the trustee. This request for a meeting must be done in the same 45 day time limit.

If you are in a situation where you are overwhelmed by debt with no hope of paying it back under the current circumstances, there is not much of a downside to pursuing a consumer proposal. The worst thing that can happen is that creditors do not agree to the proposal, and in this situation, bankruptcy is still an option. If it does work then you save yourself the grief of having a bankruptcy on your credit history.

If you wish to compare this information about consumer proposlas to a bankruptcy, start by reviewing our bankruptcy faqs. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. as soon as possible regarding your debt problems, to find out more about consumer proposals and Starting Over, Starting Now you’ll be on your way to living a debt free life.

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THE DANGERS OF JOINT CREDIT CARDS

bankruptcy and insolvency act and a joint account, debt, debts, credit cards, joint credit cards, credit card companies, bankruptcy, credit ratings, credit score, trustee, senior with credit card debtI recently met with a widow whose husband passed away deep in debt. Her late husband was very secretive about his finances and his widow only learned of how dire their position was when she became the executrix of his estate. After fending off collection calls relating to the estate, she learned she was liable for some of his debts. Why? Because her husband had applied for joint credit cards on his accounts, in his wife’s name. Needless to say, this woman, who never used the credit cards, was horrified to learn that she was now a senior with credit card debt rendering her insolvent.

It may seem pretty common for spouses to use a joint credit card, but consider the financial ramifications.

• Regardless of who incurs the debt on a co-issued credit card the primary and secondary card holders are jointly and severally liable. This means that the credit card companies view both parties as fully responsible for the entire account balance regardless of who is responsible for the expenses.
• If one card holder declares bankruptcy, the debts are enforceable against the other cardholder(s).
• Even if just one joint account holder acts irresponsibly, both credit ratings suffer. According to Clifton M. O’Neal, senior manager with TransUnion credit reporting, a 90-day delinquency can actually have a greater impact on an innocent party with relatively few accounts and no other credit infractions. The new delinquency may not make as much difference to the culprit’s credit score, if he/she holds other accounts with many more serious problems.

Joint credit cards may seem like a good idea for tracking expenses and collecting loyalty points, but they can also be a recipe for financial disaster. If you are experiencing serious financial problems as a result of a joint credit card, don’t delay. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. as soon as possible. We can help with your serious debt issues and Starting Over, Starting Now you can live a debt free life.

Call a Trustee Now!