Editing Debt collection (section)

===Canada===
In [[Canada]], regulation is provided by the province or territory in which they operate.

The law is typically called the Collection Agencies Act and usually affords a government ministry power to make regulations as needed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.14|url=https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90c14|website=Ontario|date=24 July 2014|publisher=Government of Ontario|access-date=19 January 2018}}</ref> Regulations include calling times, frequency of calls and requirements for mailing correspondence prior to making telephone contact.<ref>{{cite web|title=Collection Agencies|url=http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/oca-bc.nsf/eng/h_ca02149.html|website=Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA)|date=16 April 2003 |publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=19 January 2018}}</ref> Most debts in Ontario and Alberta are subject to a [[limitation period]] of two years. In most other provinces the limitation period is six years. After the corresponding (two or six, depending on province) anniversary of the last formal intention to pay the debt, neither the collection agency nor anyone else has legal authority to collect it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 24, Sched. B|url=https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/02l24|website=Ontario|date=24 July 2014|publisher=Government of Ontario|access-date=19 January 2018}}</ref> <!--Note: A carswell book on debt and collection also makes this conclusion--> [[Credit bureau]]s will retain both the debt and collection history on the debtor's credit file for 6–7 years, depending on province. Although the collection agency can continue to collect or attempt to collect the debt, they cannot garnish or place a lien on the debtor past the limitation period unless the court upholds a new date of last activity on the account based on other factors. Further information may be found in the regulations for the Province of Ontario relating to on prohibited debt collection practices.<ref>{{cite web|title=R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 74: GENERAL|url=https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/900074#BK6|website=Ontario|date=24 July 2014|publisher=Government of Ontario|access-date=19 January 2018}}</ref>

In [[Manitoba]], the governing document is the Manitoba Consumer Protection Act. Complaints regarding violations of the Act should be directed to the Manitoba Consumer Protection Board who will either mediate or enforce the act when it is broken.

Province-specific statutes:<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Margaret H.|title=Stop Creditor Harassment|url=http://www.debtcanada.ca/news/archive/debtors-rights/97-stop-creditor-harassment|publisher=Debt Canada|access-date=20 September 2012}}</ref>
* [[Alberta]] – Collection Practices Act
* [[British Columbia]] – Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act
* [[Manitoba]] – Consumer Protection Act
* [[New Brunswick]] – Collection Agencies Act
* [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] – Collections Act
* [[Nova Scotia]] – Collection Agencies Act
* [[Ontario]] – Collection Agencies Act and Debt Collectors Act
* [[Prince Edward Island]] – Collection Agencies Act
* [[Quebec]] – Act Respecting the Collection of Certain Debts
* [[Saskatchewan]] – Collection Agents Act