The offences and sanctions provisions are contained in Part VIII of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. These are criminal or quasi-criminal violations of law; a person guilty of an offence is liable to a fine or imprisonment.

A formal decision issued by a court on a matter under its consideration.

Inspectors can be appointed by creditors to represent them before the trustee during the administration of proposals and bankruptcies. They are expected to assist the trustee by virtue of their experience and are required to supervise certain aspects of the trustee’s administration.

A bar (i.e. stop) against any creditor for the recovery of a claim provable in bankruptcy or a proposal against the insolvent person or the insolvent person’s property. No creditor shall start or continue any action, execution or other proceeding for the recovery of such claims.

A person who takes on financial responsibility for another’s debt.

A contract under which all the personal property of a debtor is pledged as security to a lender; (not used in all provinces).

A legal process whereby a creditor requires a third party to turn over to the creditor, a debtor’s property such as wages or bank accounts.

Meeting called by the trustee to consider the affairs of the bankrupt or debtor in a Proposal, to affirm the appointment of the trustee, to appoint inspectors, and to give such directions to the trustee as the creditors may see fit.

Assets defined as exempt by provincial legislation that are not available to the trustee for the benefit of creditors.

The difference between the market value of an asset and the debt secured against it.