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Stop Wage Garnishment in Ontario

If a creditor is taking money directly from your paycheque in Ontario, there is a legal way to stop it. A Consumer Proposal or Division 1 Proposal triggers a stay of proceedings that halts most collection actions, including wage garnishment. We represent you through the process and work to protect your income as quickly as possible.

  • Serving Ontario and other provinces
  • Legally stop creditors from taking your paycheque
  • Protect your full income going forward
  • Resolve the underlying debt, not just the garnishment
  • Avoid bankruptcy in most cases
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Want to know how much debt we can reduce for you?

Answer a few quick questions to see what legal debt relief options may be available to you.

What Is Wage Garnishment in Ontario?

Wage garnishment is a court-ordered process that lets a creditor collect a debt directly from your paycheque before it reaches you. In Ontario, the Wages Act limits how much can be taken, with a higher limit allowed for support and maintenance orders than for ordinary debts. Garnishment can come from a private creditor with a court judgment, from the Canada Revenue Agency, or from a family support enforcement order, and the rules differ depending on who’s collecting.

What Types of Debt Can Lead to Wage Garnishment?

Credit Cards

Lines of Credit

Bank Loans

Payday Loans

Overdrafts

CRA Tax Debt

Student Loans (if out of school > 7 years)

Medical Debt

Personal Loans

Collection Agency Debt

Joint Debts

Business Credit (if personally guaranteed)

Garnishments a Formal Proposal Does Not Stop

Child Support Enforcement

Spousal Support Enforcement

Court-Ordered Fines

Secured Loan Default (Mortgage, Car Loan)

Student Loans Under 7 Years

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How We Help You Stop It

Stopping a wage garnishment legally is more straightforward than most people expect.
Here’s how the process works when you do it with a law firm on your side:

01

Free, confidential consultation

We review your garnishment notice and total debt.

02

We identify your legal options

We explain whether a Consumer Proposal, Division 1 Proposal, or direct settlement fits your situation.

03

We coordinate the formal filing

Only a Licensed Insolvency Trustee can legally file a Consumer Proposal or Division 1 Proposal; we represent your legal interests throughout.

04

A stay of proceedings takes effect

Once filed, most collection actions, including wage garnishment, are legally stopped.

05

Your paycheque is protected

Collections stop and you make one structured payment going forward.

06

Your debt moves toward resolution

You keep your income, your assets, and a clear path forward.

What are the Pros and Cons of Stopping Wage Garnishment This Way?

Pros

The benefits of stopping wage garnishment through a formal legal proposal

  • Stops wage garnishment immediately upon filing
  • Reduce your debt significantly
  • Keep your home, car, and assets
  • Stop collections and lawsuits immediately
  • Avoid bankruptcy
  • One fixed monthly payment
  • Affordable and predictable
  • Government-regulated and legally binding

Cons

The disadvantages of a debt relief proposal

  • Appears on your credit report for the duration of the proposal + 3 years
  • Requires approval from creditors
  • Requires disciplined monthly payments
  • Not ideal for very high-income earners with surplus income
  • Must be filed through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee

Is Stopping Wage Garnishment the Right Option for Me?

  • You may need to stop wage garnishment if:

  • Your wages are currently being garnished

  • You've received a garnishment notice

  • You believe the amount being taken is wrong

  • Collection calls or legal notices have started

  • You want to protect your full paycheque going forward

  • You want to avoid bankruptcy

  • You want a lawyer working only for you, not your creditors

If the debt behind your garnishment exceeds $250,000, a Division 1 Proposal may apply instead. Learn more about Division 1 Proposals. For background on how garnishment works across Canada, see our article on wage garnishment in Canada.

We reduce your debt. Not your dignity.

Stop Wage Garnishment FAQs

The Wages Act sets limits on how much a creditor can take, with a higher limit for support and maintenance orders. Speak with us for confirmation of the current limits and how they apply to your specific paycheque.

Yes. Filing a Consumer Proposal or Division 1 Proposal triggers a legal stay of proceedings that stops most active garnishments, including ones already underway.

Timing depends on your specific situation, including who is garnishing you and how the debt is structured. Book a consultation for a realistic timeline for your case.

Yes. Once the proposal is filed, the resulting stay of proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act stops most creditor collection actions, including wage garnishment.

Ontario law protects employees from being fired solely because their wages are being garnished.

You may have grounds to challenge the garnishment directly. This is a common reason to speak with a lawyer rather than simply accepting a deduction you believe is incorrect.

No. The Canada Revenue Agency has broader collection powers than a private creditor and isn't always bound by the same limits.

A Consumer Proposal's stay of proceedings applies broadly, but the CRA has additional collection powers beyond those of a private creditor. Speak with us about the specifics of a CRA garnishment before assuming it will stop the same way.

Once your proposal is approved, the garnishment tied to the included debt should stop. We monitor this with you to make sure it's lifted properly.

Our Service Area

Real Debt Help, Wherever You Are in Ontario

Metus Lykos Debt Law Firm proudly serves clients across the entire province of Ontario. Wherever you call home, our lawyers are ready to review your situation and explain your legal options — confidentially, and free of judgment.

Toronto

Markham

Mississauga

Brampton

Ottawa

Hamilton

London

Windsor

Don't see your city listed? We work with clients across all of Ontario, in person and remotely. If you live in the province, we can help.

Take the First Step Toward Becoming Debt-Free

Every day a garnishment continues is money out of your pocket. Book a free, confidential consultation and let us explain the fastest legal path to stopping it.

See how much debt we can reduce for you
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