Constant calls from debt collectors are stressful and disruptive. The good news: Canadian law gives you specific tools to stop or significantly reduce these calls. The right approach depends on your situation — whether you need immediate legal relief or just want to exercise your provincial rights.
In most Canadian provinces, you have the legal right to send a written request to a collection agency instructing them to stop contacting you. This is sometimes called a "cease and desist" letter, though Canadian law refers to it as a request to cease communication.
Once a properly written request is received, the agency must stop calling you. They can still:
But the harassment stops. Important: This does not make the debt go away. The creditor or collector can still sue you and obtain a judgment if the debt is valid and within the limitation period.
Send by registered mail and keep a copy:
"To [Collection Agency Name]: I am writing to instruct you to cease all communication with me regarding the account referenced above, except as permitted by law. Please confirm in writing that you have received and will comply with this request. [Date, Name, Address, Account number if known]"
If you believe you do not owe the debt, owe a different amount, or that the debt is past the statute of limitations, send a written dispute to the collection agency. In most provinces, they must provide verification of the debt before continuing collection activity. While they investigate, calls should pause.
A consumer proposal filed through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee triggers an automatic stay of proceedings the moment it is filed. Under federal law (the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act), all collection activity — calls, legal action, wage garnishment — must stop immediately. Every unsecured creditor is affected, not just one.
This is the most powerful and comprehensive tool for stopping all collection activity at once, and it simultaneously addresses the underlying debt through a structured repayment plan.
Like a consumer proposal, personal bankruptcy under the BIA also triggers an immediate stay of proceedings. All collection calls, legal actions, and wage garnishments must stop the moment bankruptcy is filed. This is appropriate when debt is so severe that the full restructuring of bankruptcy is the right solution.
Even without sending a cease communication letter, collectors are limited by provincial law:
If a collector violates the rules — calling outside permitted hours, calling more than permitted, using abusive language, threatening you inappropriately — file a complaint:
Document every call: date, time, agency name, collector name, what was said. Screenshots of repeated call logs are useful evidence.
The Canada Revenue Agency is not a collection agency and is not bound by provincial collection laws. A cease communication letter does not work on CRA. However, a consumer proposal or bankruptcy does stop CRA collection activity through the automatic stay under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. This is often a major relief for those with significant tax debt.
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