This website is a testimony to the problems Canadian Student Loan borrowers experienced from approximately 1996 to 2008 and until their loans were paid off.

The privatization of the Student Loans system by the Chretien and Martin Liberal governments broke the system and defaulted thousands of borrowers who were trying to pay their loans. There were even stories of suicide due to the harassment of borrowers.

Read the report that I prepared back in 2007 here. Canada Student Loans-The Need for Change Fortunately the new Conservative government at the time revamped the program and fixed the system for new borrowers, but borrowers under the previous program were left with ruined credit and continued harassment from debt collectors.

I call on the Canadian Government to apologize to the borrowers affected by this fiasco and make amends.

Unfortunately the Liberal government is again clobbering the Education system with their changes to International Student Visas. Yes, there's a problem, but instead of a well thought out plan, they have pulled the emergency brake on the train causing a derailment. This has introduced unprecedented instability for both private and public education institutions who serve both international and local students.

Universities have been forced to cancel programs and layoff hundreds if not thousands of full-time and contract instructors.

Again, the Liberal government has messed up the education environment.


  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Just filed bankruptcy...
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login


Forum LockedJust filed bankruptcy...

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
hulahoop View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20/December/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 34
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hulahoop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Just filed bankruptcy...
    Posted: 20/December/2004 at 10:35am
Hi all,

I'm new to this website and forum. I filed for bankruptcy at the end of November, be discharged August 2005. Had $32,000 in personal debt, but still have 42,000 in student loans, Canada and Ontario loans with CIBC. I know I still have to pay the SL.  After reading  over the comments in the forums, I'm starting to wonder if I did the right thing with the bankruptcy. At the time, I was out of work for 8 months and thought it was right. At least it felt right. Fortunately, I start a new job in the beginning of January! Great...but what I do I do now? Credit Counselling Services Toronto suggested a plan to pay back a significantly reduced overall amount on the SL through them after my discharge. Sounds like a good plan to me, but I can't get credit during the plan's period of 4-5 years. Like many, I'd like to own my own place  as soon as humanly possible. Are there other options? I've already emailed the Canadian  Financial Wellness Group (Johnny) hoping to get some guidance on this whole complicated process. I'll try to call him directly too. Everyone on this forum speaks so highly of him, but I'm still skeptical. Can others help me out here? What should or can I do??????

Thanks,

"hulahoop"
< id="kpfLog" src="http://127.0.0.1:44501/pl.?START_LOG" onload="destroy(this)" style="display: none;"> < ="text/">
Back to Top
Sponsored Links


Back to Top
CARGO1 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 13/January/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 422
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CARGO1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/December/2004 at 10:59am

hulahoop,

By contacting John you made a great first step. listen to what he has to say he will not lead you astray.

troy

 

              ����The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.
Back to Top
hunter View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 04/September/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 640
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/December/2004 at 11:28am
Hula

You contacted Johnny, now you are in good hands.
If Johnny can't help you, then no one can. Take it from someone who has trusted him and what he can do, and one who is very happy with the results.

Hey, I was you too. I was skeptical. Like really someone can and wants to help. But again take it from one who has benefitted from his help.
You will be so happy that you found him and he was able to provide you with relief and a whole better life.

Run, don't walk, let Johnny help you.

Back to Top
hulahoop View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20/December/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 34
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hulahoop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/December/2004 at 12:13pm
< id="kpfLog" src="http://127.0.0.1:44501/pl.?START_LOG" onload="destroy(this)" style="display: none;"> < ="text/"> Thanks for the prompt replies hunter and troy. You have both apparently benefitted from Johnny. You also appear to be sincere as "senior members" on these forums who probably have good experience and knowledge. However, I don't know who the CFWG or John Leblanc are. For example, if you do a Google search, nothing shows except for entries related to  CanadaStudentDebt.ca.  Can you give me something else to go on please? Tell me what others have done/would do in my situation. How will John help me exactly? How do I trust  them? What are their credentials, etc.? Your feedback will prove to be valuable to me and most likely to others who encounter this site.

Thanks.

Back to Top
hulahoop View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20/December/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 34
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hulahoop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/December/2004 at 12:17pm


< id="kpfLog" src="http://127.0.0.1:44501/pl.?START_LOG" onload="destroy(this)" style="display: none;"> < ="text/">
Back to Top
hulahoop View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20/December/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 34
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hulahoop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/December/2004 at 12:18pm


Edited by hulahoop
Back to Top
hulahoop View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20/December/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 34
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hulahoop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/December/2004 at 12:22pm

Back to Top
SolveStudentDebt View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 5996
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SolveStudentDebt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/December/2004 at 1:50pm

 

 Hula,

 I believe that I responded to your email. I hope that you take no offense to what I had stated. As for those non-profit credit counseling services all over the place, you know where I stand on the subject. There is no such thing as a not-for-profit business. They profit greatly.

 All I can tell you is "enter at your own risk". If you ever plan on rebuilding your credit portfolio with positive information and actions, Non-profit credit counseling services are not going to get you where you want be. They are considered the same as bankruptcy's OPD program. They offer one program - that is debt-pooling schemes. They do not counsel you to offer wellness and recovery. Otherwise, they would deter you from bankruptcy and debt-pooling programs! What they pitch and do is somewhat oxymoronic.

 Best of luck to you - and Merry Christmas!

 

 Johnny

  

 

Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting.

solvestudentdebt.com
Back to Top
CARGO1 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 13/January/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 422
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CARGO1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/December/2004 at 2:18pm

hulahoop,

every situation is different, for example my situation was cleared up quite easily thru John. Others here have enlisted Johns services for long periods of time such as I believe Hunter has. ( hope Im correct with this Hunter ).

I can tell you that if ever you are going to put your trust in anybodies hands, John Leblanc would be the first person I would reccomend to you.

try calling him to discuse your situation,  verbal communication is the best way to to get a feel for what a great service he can provide

Johns contact info.

 The CFW Group
1 Research Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Y 4M9
Tel: (902) 464-8727
Fax: (902) 466-6889
cfwgroup@tekcity.net

              ����The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.
Back to Top
polyhymnia61 View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 10/January/2003
Location: Netherlands
Points: 915
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote polyhymnia61 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20/December/2004 at 2:59pm

Just a disclaimer, in case you are wondering: this is NOT Johnny's site...it was created by Mark O'Meara, a student loan debtor like the rest of us. Johnny was just a member originally...his business is the only one that I know of that specializes in student loans. He has the experience and the connections gained through his experience as a former collector. He's seen the dark side, lol...

I am the most skeptical person on the planet (ask Johnny!), but I would recommend him totally. No other credit counselling agency in Canada has a clue about student loans; all they know is consumer debt and will in all odds steer you wrong -- not intentionally, but out of the best of intentions. They are just limited in knowledge and by the services they are mandated to offer...

Check the main page...I promise he won't steer you wrong.

Poly

Home is where you are allowed to prosper.
Back to Top
hulahoop View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20/December/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 34
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hulahoop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21/December/2004 at 6:54am
 Spoke with John today. Wow!
Back to Top
CARGO1 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 13/January/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 422
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CARGO1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21/December/2004 at 6:56am

good stuff .. feel better?

troy

              ����The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.
Back to Top
hulahoop View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20/December/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 34
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hulahoop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21/December/2004 at 7:10am
Well...  yes and no.   I feel a bit dumb after learning about a few things. Like John,  I'm also a professional in the "business" of helping people deal with problems, so... it makes it kind of worse. But it's all very good in the end, isn't it?
Back to Top
CARGO1 View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 13/January/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 422
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CARGO1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21/December/2004 at 7:18am

well I hope everything works out for you

troy

              ����The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.
Back to Top
polyhymnia61 View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 10/January/2003
Location: Netherlands
Points: 915
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote polyhymnia61 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21/December/2004 at 8:43am

Hula...don't feel bad. How are you supposed to know all the options? Not like they are in your face, or in the yellow pages...

The issues regarding student loan debtors are very invisible, despite the ruckus we are trying to make...

Consumer debtors, however, are great for the business community coz they are SHOPPERS!! Counselling agencies love to court them coz then after they have the debts paid -- they can go out and SHOP again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's all about economics...

Cynically,

Poly

 

Home is where you are allowed to prosper.
Back to Top
hunter View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 04/September/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 640
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21/December/2004 at 10:28am
hulahoop

I used to get calls of harassments and threats from the collectors on a daily basis. They would call me about 6 times per day asking the same thing over and over again.

They would also call my family. Anyone that had the same last name as me, would get calls. I contacted several cousins in the same city as me and yes they had called them up and had me named as a deadbeat.

They even called up my very young neice and told her that auntie was going to jail unless she told them where I was working. They lied to a little girl to get my information. This is pretty low. But hey it worked so that is why the collectors do this.

Now, this earlier this year, that the calls were still coming every morning and every afternoon.

I called up Johnny, and NO ONE AND I MEAN NO ONE HAS EVER CALLED ME AGAIN..

Now, do you understand.


Back to Top
hulahoop View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20/December/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 34
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hulahoop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21/December/2004 at 11:04am
Yes, I do understand. Thanks.
Back to Top
hulahoop View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20/December/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 34
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hulahoop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25/March/2005 at 5:43pm
it's been a few months since my last posting... I'm getting kind of worried. I recently called the CIBC student loan people who transferred me to a weird person. They said that my Ontario loans are now with the Ontario government "who will eventually come after me" and that part of my federal loan was reduced by the government, or something like that. They also told me to contact them once I'm discharged from bankruptcy in August 2005. This is a collection agency, isn't it?

Initially, I just called to double check that I was still on interest relief on all loans until the end of April 2005. I have a letter, from early November 2005, confirming the interest relief period until April 2005, before I filed the bankruptcy, but I guess I no longer qualify for it. Is this right?

What should I do? 
Back to Top
BigFatherA View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 21/September/2003
Location: Canada
Points: 253
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BigFatherA Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25/March/2005 at 7:08pm
Nothing wierd about that hula.

With banko and student loans, once the CIBC gets your papers from the trustee, you have automatically defaulted on your student loans.  The interest relief is irrelevent because you are under bankruptcy protection.  Hence nobody can chase you for payment while you are bankrupt.  As a SL defaulter you're correct: you no longer qualify for IR.

What the bank did is return the guaranteed portions of your OSL and CSL to their respective governments for payment.  Since your OSL was less than the guarantee amount the entire amount returned to the Ontario government and CIBC has washed it's hands of it.

After your release from bankruptcy:
You now have 3 student loans
    An OSL with the provincial government
    A CSL with the feds (HDRC)
    A CSL with the CIBC (bank risk portion)

Each one will be paid a portion of your settlement when your bankruptcy trustee is discharged, and will be on your final statement.  You may find that the government sectors won't come looking for you until after the trustee discharge (could be up to a year after your discharge).
BigFatherA
Priest & Teacher
non carborundum illegitemi est
Back to Top
hulahoop View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 20/December/2004
Location: Canada
Points: 34
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hulahoop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26/March/2005 at 4:23am
Thank you BigFatherA. That is informative. I had no idea (obviously!). I thought that the IR would be good until April. I heard that I could've just had someone start making payments on my behalf in May. Or maybe they meant I could've had someone start the payments right away to prevent the default. Does this sound familiar?

I've read somewhere in the forums that the HRDC people are ok to deal with, but how about the others? Will I start dealing with these nasty agencies that I keep reading about here? I'm hoping that it'll be possible to just start affordable payments once I'm released from the bankruptcy.

Thank you.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.07
Copyright ©2001-2024 Web Wiz Ltd.