Get a free, no obligation personal loan quote with rates as low as 9.90%
Get Started You can apply with no impact to your credit score
📅 Last Updated: March 8, 2024
✏️ Written By Lisa Rennie
🕵️ Fact-Checked by Caitlin Wood

Are you having trouble keeping up with your bill payments? If so, you’re not alone. Thousands of people in Manitoba struggle to stay on top of their bills as their debt continues to mount. And with high-interest debt, it can be nearly impossible to eliminate all outstanding debt owed.

In Manitoba, the average non-mortgage consumer debt load is $18,312, which is slightly under the national average of $22,125. Yet while Manitobans may have the smallest amount of consumer debt compared to other provinces and territories, delinquencies climbed by more than 10%, while bankruptcies increased 7%. In fact, Manitoba has experienced the largest increase in bankruptcy across the country over the past year.

Some residents of Manitoba who are unable to pay their bills on time and in full may choose to seek the route of bankruptcy in order to eliminate their debt and get a fresh start. While this may be the last resort, it can be a source of relief at the same time. Nobody plans to have the kind of financial hardships that eventually lead to bankruptcy, but it’s a fact for approximately 100,000 Canadians each year who turn to bankruptcy as a means to get out of debt.

Unsure about how bankruptcy works or if it’s right for you? Read on to arm yourself with the information needed to make an informed decision.

What is Bankruptcy?

Simply put, personal bankruptcy involves giving up or “assigning” everything you own to an “Insolvency Trustee” in exchange for becoming completely absolved from all debt.

For more information about licensed insolvency trustees and what they do, read this.

Bankruptcy is governed by the federal Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act, which is designed to allow debtors to be relieved of their debts while treating creditors fairly. However, what you’re allowed to keep when you file for bankruptcy in Manitoba is governed by provincial law. In Manitoba, you may be allowed to keep some of the following:

  • Furniture and appliances, but not exceeding $4,500 in value;
  • Necessary clothing;
  • Food necessary for a period of 6 months;
  • One vehicle not exceeding $3,000 in value if used for transportation to employment or for business;
  • Tools used for business, but not exceeding $7,500 in value;
  • Necessary health aids (ie. eyeglasses, walkers, wheelchairs, etc).
  • $2,500 in personal residence equity.

Exemption specifics can vary from one consumer to another and will depend on various situations. As such, it’s important to discuss any specifics about what can be retained with a bankruptcy trustee prior to declaring bankruptcy in Manitoba.

At the end of the day, Manitoba bankruptcy prevents any legal action and helps put a stop to creditor and collection agency calls.

Do You Think You Need to File For Bankruptcy?

Filing for bankruptcy is a decision that should not be made in haste. Instead, all other options should be exhausted first before resorting to personal bankruptcy. That said, you should take some time to assess your particular situation to see if bankruptcy is something you should consider.

There are certain tell-tale signs that may point you in the direction of bankruptcy as a means to resolve your debt issues:

  • You’ve lost your job and are no longer able to pay your debts
  • You’re making debt payments, but it’s too much to handle
  • Your debt payments are not making much of a dent in your outstanding balances
  • You use credit to pay for everyday necessities because your debt is so high
  • Your debt load is causing an undue amount of stress
  • You’ve maxed out on your borrowing limit

If any or all of these apply to you, bankruptcy may be an option to consider.

What to Expect When You File For Bankruptcy in Manitoba

To file for personal bankruptcy in Manitoba, there are certain requirements you must meet:

  • Live or do business in Canada over the last year;
  • Be insolvent, which means you owe at least $1,000 and are unable to meet your debt payment deadlines.

If you meet these eligibility requirements and have determined that bankruptcy is the right path to take, it’s important to understand the process. If you choose personal bankruptcy in Manitoba, a licensed Bankruptcy Trustee is required for filing.

You’ll need to complete an application form which will be used by the trustee to prepare the documents that will be filed with the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy of Canada (OSB). Your bankruptcy trustee will inform your creditors that you’re filing for personal bankruptcy Manitoba.

Does filing for bankruptcy affect your spouse? Check this out for more information.

Once you’ve filed, you’ll need to meet with the Trustee on a regular basis and submit information regarding all income and expenses. If your income is more than a specified amount, you may be required to pay “surplus income” payments.

If all goes well, you should be discharged from all your debts after 9 to 21 months.

It should be noted that in addition to losing certain possessions, your ability to obtain credit will be impacted by filing for bankruptcy. While you’ll be able to eliminate your debt, it will stay on your credit report for about seven years, which means you likely won’t be able to secure a loan for a while.

Want to know if you’ll lose your RRSPs during a bankruptcy? Find out here.

Whether it’s a car loan, mortgage, or any other type of consumer loan, be prepared to be unable to take out any additional credit until your credit report is cleared.

Recently filed for bankruptcy? Look here to find out how you can rebuild your credit.

Final Thoughts

Personal bankruptcy in Manitoba is a means for consumers to eliminate mounting debt and get back on track when it comes to their finances. But bankruptcy is not an option that should be chosen lightly.

Taking this path can have certain consequences in terms of credit strength, so it’s important to speak with a financial advisor or bankruptcy trustee in Manitoba first in order to explore other alternatives. If bankruptcy is determined to be the right choice, you’d be well-advised to learn everything you can about the process and how it can affect you and Loans Canada can help.

More From Our Experts

What Is The Fine Option Program?
What Is The Fine Option Program?

Do you have an expensive traffic ticket you need to pay? If you're short on cash, consider the Fine Option Program, which lets you work the fine off.

What Is Debt-To-Income Ratio And How To Calculate It?
What Is Debt-To-Income Ratio And How To Calculate It?

Everything you need to know about what a debt-to-income ratio is and how it affects your ability to get approved for the loan you want.

How To Use Debt To Make Money
How To Use Debt To Make Money

Wondering how the rich get wealthy? Debt is often used to make money and get rich. Find out how debt is used to make money.

Debt Relief Programs In Canada: What Are Your Options?
Debt Relief Programs In Canada: What Are Your Options?

Debt consolidation loans, debt management programs, debt settlement, consumer proposal and bankruptcy: Find out which option is right for you.

What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Debt In Canada?
What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Debt In Canada?

Learn about the statute of limitations in Canada and how it can protect you from your creditors wanting to take legal action against you.

Debt Relief For Predatory Loans
Debt Relief For Predatory Loans

Predatory lending is a problem many borrowers face when trying get a loan with bad credit. Here's how you can protect yourself.

Does Bankruptcy Affect My Spouse In Canada?
Does Bankruptcy Affect My Spouse In Canada?

Does bankruptcy affect your spouse in Canada? Find out the implications of declaring bankruptcy when you have a spouse.

How Does A Foreclosure Affect Your Credit Score?
How Does A Foreclosure Affect Your Credit Score?

Everything you need to know about how a foreclosure will affect your credit score.

Learn How To Defer A Credit Card Payment
Learn How To Defer A Credit Card Payment

Are you struggling to make your credit card payments on time? Learn how you can defer your credit card payments.

High-Interest Debt: Tips On How To Get Out Of Debt In Canada
High-Interest Debt: Tips On How To Get Out Of Debt In Canada

Struggling to keep up with your debt load? We have all the tips and tricks you need to know how to get out of debt in Canada.

Why choose Loans Canada?

Apply Once &
Get Multiple Offers
Save Time
And Money
Get Your Free
Credit Score
Free
Service
Expert Tips
And Advice
Exclusive
Offers
Caitlin Wood Priyanka Correia Lisa Rennie Bryan Daly Cris Ravazzano Margaret Johnson Kale Havervold Liz Enriquez Sean Cooper Veronica Ott Corrina Murdoch Chrissy Kapralos

A Team of Experts

Get expert tips and guidance from a community of renown personal finance experts right here at Loans Canada. We're here to help you stay informed so you can make the best financial decisions.

Build Credit For Just $10/Month

With KOHO's prepaid card you can build a better credit score for just $10/month.

Koho Prepaid Credit Card