Canadian Consumer Handbook 2008-2009

Budget and Credit Counselling

Are you struggling financially and feel that you need help? It may be worthwhile to meet with a budget or credit counsellor. This type of service is offered by various types of organizations: provincial governments, and non-profit and for-profit organizations.

Information on other non-profit organizations than those listed below and for-profit companies that provide credit counselling services can be found in your local phone book. You can also call your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office or the Better Business Bureau to see whether any complaints have been filed against the person or company you are planning to deal with.

Government Services

Nova Scotia
Debtor Assistance Program
This program is provided by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

Telephone: 902-424-5200
Toll-free: 1-800-670-4357
Website: www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/consumer/debtor

Saskatchewan
Provincial Mediation Board
Managed by the Saskatchewan Department of Justice and Attorney General, the Board provides budgeting advice and counselling services.

Toll-free: 1-888-215-2222
Fax (toll-free): 1-888-867-7776
Website: www.justice.gov.sk.ca/provincialmediationboard

Suite 120, 2151 Scarth Street
Regina Saskatchewan  S4P 2H8
Telephone: 306-787-5387
Fax: 306-787-5574

Main Floor, Sturdy Stone Building
122–3^rd Avenue North
Saskatoon Saskatchewan  S7K 2H6
Telephone: 306-933-6520
Fax: 306-933-7030

Non-Profit Organizations

Ontario
Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services
This is a registered charity that represents a network of not-for-profit credit counselling agencies across the province.

Telephone: 1-888-746-3328
Website: www.oaccs.com/agencies.html

Quebec
Coalition des associations de consommateurs du Québec
The Coalition is a province-wide group of consumer associations of which 22 organizations that provide credit counselling services are members.

Suite 393, 1600 De Lorimier Avenue
Montréal Quebec  H2K 3W5
Telephone: 514-362-8623
Toll-free: 1-877-962-2227
Fax: 514-598-5863
Email: info@cacq.ca
Website: www.cacq.ca

Union des consommateurs
Union des consommateurs was created in 2002 by the merger of the Fédération des Association coopérative d'économie familiale and Action réseau consommateur. The mandate of the Union des consommateurs is to protect consumers and advocate for their rights and interests. The group especially gives a strong public voice to consumers with low and moderate incomes.

6226 St-Hubert Street
Montréal Quebec  H2S 2M2
Telephone: 514-521-6820
Toll-free: 1-888-521-6820
Fax: 514-521 0736
Email: union@consommateur.qc.ca
Website: www.consommateur.qc.ca/union

All other provinces and territories
Credit Counselling Canada
This is a national association of not-for-profit credit counselling agencies. Its members serve all provinces and territories.

To find the agency nearest you, go to www.creditcounsellingcanada.ca.