If you’re like most people, you (at least try to) go to the doctor every year for your annual physical. Why? Because a clean bill of health buys you peace of mind — and the earlier you can catch potential problems like high blood pressure or a problematic mole, the easier these are to correct.

With COVID-19 impacting finances at all levels, much of the conversation over the past year and a half has surrounded increased spending (or decreased revenue) among governments, businesses, and individuals — and the debt each has taken on to make up the difference.

Bankruptcy can provide relief for most types of consumer debt, save for a few noteworthy exceptions. Therefore, you can — in most cases — include a debt owing to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) in a bankruptcy. However, each situation is different and ICBC will take a position based on the facts of each file.

Managing insolvency engagements within the new reality of the Bubble impacted engagements when travel was required from individuals outside the Bubble. The creation of the Bubble affected interaction with other professionals – such as lawyers, courts, appraisers, auctioneers and most importantly, buyers of assets.

For many people, the stress and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic has only served to compound existing financial difficulties. Loss of income and rising debt loads are adding to the stress and forcing individuals to look at options they never thought they’d have to.

Unmanageable debt is stressful enough without the persistent half-truths and complete inaccuracies that prevent people from getting the relief they need and deserve. Bankruptcy, more than any other debt solution, often seems to be the target of these myths and misconceptions. Yet it is often the most cost effective, affordable, and fastest path to relief for many Canadians.

One of the biggest concerns among indebted pensioners is whether creditors have the right to seize or garnish their Canada Pension Benefits (CPP) and Old Age Security Benefits (OAS).

All debt can be overwhelming, but there’s no creditor quite as frightening as the CRA. The bottom line is if you have not filed taxes for several years or your tax debt is severely delinquent, you’re on CRA’s radar.

This year’s tax season will more than likely be extra challenging for the nearly nine million Canadians who applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit in 2020.