John LeBlanc: My Hero

8 years ago I graduated with my PhD-- 10 long years of post-graduate education, super hard work, BC and Canada loans, and 3-4 simultaneous part time jobs throughout. I’d done it and I felt proud and excited about my future possibilities.  For about 2 days. That's when I phoned the CSL to make arrangements to start repayments of my loans: my education was complete I was committed to paying back what I'd borrowed to help get it.  I wasn’t a lazy deadbeat who wanted a free ride and I had big plans for my future.  But I was soon in a state of complete distress when CSL informed me that I would be forced to default on my loans if I didn't pay them $5000.00 a month. No negotiation: Pay up or be sued.  Sued by the Government! The very idea still makes my head spin.  This is my story, but it is a  familiar story and so far it could sound just like yours. But if you are facing all this on your own, you need to read on...

As I started to search the internet for answers and help I discovered some horrifying stories and was gutted to learn how many people were in my situation (none of us realize until we get to the point of paying it back and by then it is too late).  I read about people with MA’s and PhD’s with decent lectureships working at Staples every evening and weekend to make ends meet with their student loans.  Then there were the stories about the poor **** who dared to get married where both of them had student loans.  My heart sank. The future suddenly looked very black.  My debt was insurmountable and no matter how much I wanted to pay it back, they were not going to let me.  They would rather sue me.  It was impossible. I was paralyzed with a fear of my future: never owning a car, a home, my credit ruined.  Collection agencies, harassing phone calls, legal battles-- the bloody government for God’s sake! Suing me! I was a mess. 

Then I found Candastudentdebt.ca and a man named John LeBlanc. 

I read dozens of testimonials all over the internet about John and I read John’s selfless and time consuming responses to people’s questions for hours before deciding to take a chance and get in touch with him.  To be honest, he seemed to good to be true and I was terrified there would be a catch.  After a series of emails John phoned me.  We had a long discussion about my financial situation and what I understood my obligations to be. John was very clear with me that he was not in the business of getting people off from paying their loans and I was equally clear that that was not what I was seeking.  I realised there was no catch, but it would be a long haul and I had to decide to trust someone.

That was 8 years ago and this week the papers were finalized and the nightmare ended.  John saved me over $68,000.00.  His method is simple: patience is a virtue. But to work with John you must first understand what it is this incredible man does and you must commit to the journey.  

• John LeBlanc has particular expertise in the student loan system.  
• John LeBlanc is incredibly knowledgeable about the law and the processes for government, banks and loan collectors. 
• And, perhaps most importantly, John LeBlanc is a financial wellness expert who genuinely cares about people’s emotional well being when it comes to finances.  

John was able to tell me exactly the road that lay ahead for me.  It was a scary road, but he promised to stand beside me every step of the way and do what I needed most: offer support, guidance and a barrier to the awful reality that was about to start whilst arming me with information every step of the way. He kept his promises. He managed my expectations carefully and he was always on hand to assure me when I felt scared, when the collection agencies geared up to full power and when the long years ticked by one by one.  His rates are more than reasonable: they are minimal.  He doesn’t profit from this, he makes a living.  

John LeBlanc is truly a student advocate and he is, without measure, my hero.