Brantford Bankruptcy Trustee in Ottawa

On February 7, 2008 my Brantford bankruptcy office was closed. I was in Ottawa, appearing as an expert witness before the Senate Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce to provide testimony on the proposed new bankruptcy rules.

Most of the witnesses that have appeared before the Committee were lawyers or lobbyists; no-one had appeared to give the average bankrupt's perspective. In my opening remarks I told the Senators that the average person who goes bankrupt in Brantford, or anywhere in Canada, is a real person who in many cases has lost their job, gone through a marriage break-up, suffered through an illness or other personal problem, and is left with an overwhelming amount of debt.

In other words, people who go bankrupt, in most cases, are honest but unfortunate people who need a fresh start. It's important that we don't create bankruptcy rules that make it too difficult for the honest person to get a fresh start.

Our testimony lasted for over an hour, and I believe that when we were finished the Senators had a better appreciation for the problems faced by the average person who needs to file a proposal or bankruptcy in Brantford.

I don't plan on returning to Ottawa any time soon, so if you live or work in the Brantford area and want to talk to someone who provides expert testimony on complex rules, but who also will sit down with the average person and help them understand their options, please call me in Brantford at 519-770-4440, or e-mail me to set up a meeting to review your options, and help you get the fresh start I believe you deserve.