Glossary
In Criminal Law, Debt and Consumer Rights
Small Claims Court is a court that deals with claims for $50,000 or less. You can sue or be sued by a person or a business in Small Claims Court. You do not need a lawyer to go to Small Claims Court, but it is a good idea to get legal help.
Surplus Income Guidelines say how much money someone who’s filed for bankruptcy or their family can earn before they have to make surplus income payments. The money that a family or person makes over the guidelines is called surplus income.
The guidelines change each year based on what the government sets as the cost of living.
When you file for bankruptcy, you may have to make what are called monthly “surplus income payments” if you or your family earn more money than what the Surplus Income Guidelines say you can make.
These payments go to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, who uses them to pay your creditors.
In Debt and Consumer Rights, Cellphones
A temporary pause in your wireless service. This can be because you did not make a payment or because you went over your spending or usage limit. Your account and contract remain in force during the service suspension.
In Debt and Consumer Rights, Tribunals and Courts
Unfair business practices are any dishonest way a company gets your business. This includes a company:
- making false or misleading promises to you
- overcharging you for goods
- taking advantage of your disability, languages you don’t understand, or challenges you have with reading
- pressuring you to buy their goods or services
An unsecured creditor is a person or business you owe money to that does not have collateral. This means that if you do not pay your debt, this creditor cannot automatically take any of your assets to pay for what you owe. Most credit card companies are unsecured creditors. But an unsecured creditor may be able to take your assets eventually, if they get a court judgment against you.
In Debt and Consumer Rights, Income Assistance, Other benefits
An unsecured debt is money you owe a person or business that is not protected by collateral. This means that your creditor cannot take any of your assets if you do not pay what you owe, unless they take you to court and get a judgment against you. Most credit cards are unsecured debts.
A used car dealer is anyone who sells cars, trucks, or motorcycles as a business. Used car dealers must be registered with the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC). Used car dealers must follow specific rules in Ontario.
Wage assignment is when you agree to let a person or business take money directly from your employment income to pay a debt. This is different from garnishment, which has to be ordered by a court.
A warranty is a written guarantee that that a company gives that promises to replace, repair, or redo any items or services purchased from them that are not working. Warranties are usually limited to a specific time from the date of the purchase.