The assets that you are allowed to keep (known as "exempt assets") vary from province to province. In British Columbia, the exemptions are:
- $4,000 of household furnishings and appliances (value based on liquidation value, not replacement value)
- $5,000 of equity in one motor vehicle (this is reduced to $2,000 if there is a debt owing for family maintenance obligations)
- $12,000 of equity in your principal residence (this amount is reduced to $9,000 if you live outside of the Greater Vancouver Regional District or the Victoria Capital Region).
- $10,000 for tools of trade that you require to earn a living
- necessary clothing and medical aids
- certain RRSPs, pension plans and life insurance policies
Wendy McMurtrie
Meyers Norris Penny Limited
778-571-3520
[email protected]