Marcus Chen
Founder, CollectorHQ — Canadian debt-relief writer since 2016
Author profile last updated: May 12, 2026
About Marcus
I'm Marcus Chen, the founder and primary writer behind CollectorHQ. I've spent the last nine years researching and writing about Canadian debt relief — consumer proposals, personal bankruptcy, CRA collections, wage garnishment, mortgage renewal stress, HELOCs, and credit rebuilding. I started doing this because the existing information was either watered-down corporate marketing or commission-driven sales pitches dressed up as advice. Canadians making the most consequential financial decisions of their lives deserve better than that.
Everything I publish is built from primary sources — federal and provincial statutes, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada (OSB), Statistics Canada, the Bank of Canada, CMHC, CAIRP, and direct consultation with Licensed Insolvency Trustees across the country. Where the law is unsettled or numbers are estimates, I say so. Where I've changed my mind on a topic, I update the article and note the change.
"I don't sell debt solutions. My job is to give Canadians the same information a Licensed Insolvency Trustee would give them in a free consultation — but in plain language, available at 2 a.m. when most people are actually sitting with their debt."
Experience & Subject-Matter Focus
Experience
- 9+ years researching and writing about Canadian consumer debt and insolvency
- Founder of CollectorHQ (2024–present), the most-trafficked independent Canadian debt-relief education site
- Hundreds of long-form articles, calculators, and city/province guides published
- Direct consultation with Licensed Insolvency Trustees across all 10 provinces
- Source material drawn from OSB directives, BIA case law, and provincial consumer-protection statutes
Areas of Expertise
- Consumer proposals and personal bankruptcy under the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act
- CRA tax debt collections, section 164(2) set-off, and RC4288 taxpayer relief
- Wage garnishment and Requirement to Pay (RTP) procedures
- Provincial debt collection regulations and consumer-protection bulletins
- Mortgage renewal stress, HELOC strategy, B-lender and private mortgages
- Credit rebuilding after consumer proposal or bankruptcy discharge
- Licensed Insolvency Trustee selection and free-consultation process
What I Am Not
I am not a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, lawyer, accountant, or licensed financial advisor. I do not file consumer proposals, administer bankruptcies, give legal advice, or provide individualized financial recommendations. Where any of those things are required, I direct readers to the appropriate regulated professional. See the editorial policy for the full statement.
Published Work Off-Site
In addition to CollectorHQ, I publish on the following platforms:
Contact & Corrections
- Editorial: [email protected]
- Corrections: [email protected] — every correction request gets a response within 48 hours and a public note on the affected article if the change is material.
- Press / interview requests: [email protected]
Recent Articles by Marcus Chen
Most recent 24 articles. Browse the full CollectorHQ blog archive.
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How to Choose a Licensed Insolvency Trustee in Canada (2026): What to Look For + Firms by Province
July 12, 2026
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Ontario Condo Prices Are Down 26–35%: What It Means If You're Carrying Debt
June 25, 2026
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Best Credit Cards for Debt Consolidation in Canada (2026)
June 24, 2026
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Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit in Canada (2026)
June 24, 2026
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Licensed Insolvency Trustee Fees in Canada: What You Actually Pay
June 24, 2026
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Which Debt Solution Do You Qualify For in Canada? 2026 Eligibility Guide
June 24, 2026
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When a Consumer Proposal Is NOT the Right Answer: Hard Disqualifiers and Soft Mismatches
June 23, 2026
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BNPL Debt in Canada: Can Afterpay, Klarna, and Zip Be Included in a Consumer Proposal?
June 15, 2026
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CRA Collections vs. Private Debt Collectors: Key Differences Every Canadian Should Know
June 15, 2026
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What Is a Division I Proposal in Canada? (And How It Differs from a Consumer Proposal)
June 15, 2026
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EI and Consumer Proposals: What Happens to Your Employment Insurance Benefits?
June 15, 2026
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How to File a Complaint Against a Debt Collector in Canada (Province by Province)
June 15, 2026
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How to Negotiate with Creditors Before Filing a Consumer Proposal in Canada
June 15, 2026
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Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Credit Counsellors in Canada: What the Difference Actually Means for You
June 15, 2026
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What Is a Proof of Claim in Bankruptcy? How It Affects What You Owe
June 15, 2026
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What Happens to Your RRSP in Bankruptcy in Canada?
June 15, 2026
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Secured vs. Unsecured Debt in Canada: What It Means for Your Proposal or Bankruptcy
June 15, 2026
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Canadian Government Benefit Payment Dates 2026: Every Deposit Date and Amount
June 11, 2026
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Canada Carbon Rebate 2026: Why Payments Stopped and What Replaced It
June 11, 2026
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Canada Child Benefit (CCB) 2026: Payment Dates, Maximum Amounts, and Income Limits
June 11, 2026
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Canada Disability Benefit 2026: Amount, Payment Dates, and Income Limits
June 11, 2026
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Canada Workers Benefit 2026: Amounts, ACWB Payment Dates, and Thresholds
June 11, 2026
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CPP Disability Benefit 2026: Maximum Amount, Payment Dates, and Eligibility
June 11, 2026
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CPP Payment 2026: Maximum and Average Amounts, Payment Dates, and Early vs Late Rules
June 11, 2026