Government of Ontario: Ministry of Consumer Services

Consumer Protection Branch
5775 Yonge Street, Suite 1500
Toronto ON  M7A 2E5
Tel.: 416 326-6203
Toll Free: 1 800 889-9768
Fax: 416 326-8810

Registration or Appointment
Requirements for New, Renewal
and Reinstatement Applications
(Businesses and Branches)

Bailiff Appointment, Bailiffs Act - Any person who acts, assists any person to act or holds himself or herself out as being available to act for or on behalf of any other person in the repossession or seizure of chattels or in any eviction.

Collection Agency Registration, Collection Agencies Act - Businesses who collect or arrange for payment of monies owed to a third party.

Consumer Reporting Agency Registration, Consumer Reporting Act - Companies that furnish personal or consumer information.

Requirements for all Registrations / Appointments –

• 18 years of age or over;
• a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or have a valid employment authorization document;
• Operate from a permanent place of business in Ontario, which is open to public during normal business hours and is not a residence.

For Bailiffs only –

• a minimum of two years actual or related experience;
• an applicant cannot be registered as a Collector / Collection Agency under the Collection Agencies Act or a Private Investigator under the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act;
• indicate the name of the territorial division for which appointment is sought;
• a trust account must be set up in the name of the Company exactly as noted in the application and designated “Bailiffs Act – Trust Account”. The trust account may be set up after appointment and the Registrar will require confirmation;
• a minimum of ten (10) letters from businesses supporting the application and indicating that they would use your services. The number of letters required may be higher in some metropolitan areas;
• detailed resume of education and employment history for principal bailiffs of the corporation/partnership or applicant in the case of a sole proprietorship, identifying a minimum of two years actual related experience;
• evidence of successful completion of the Bailiff qualification examination administered by the Registrar; Contact 416 326-6203;
• a personal bond accompanied by collateral security; a bond of a guarantee company approved under the Guarantee Companies Securities Act; or a bond guarantor, other than a guarantee company, accompanied by collateral security in the amount of $5,000.00 in the name of the Corporation as it appears on your Articles of Incorporation and your application.

For Collection Agencies only -

• a minimum of two years actual or related experience in all phases of the Collection Agency business;
• an applicant cannot act as a Bailiff under the Bailiffs Act or a Private Investigator under the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act;
• a trust account must be set up in the name of the Company exactly as noted in the application and designated “Collection Agencies Act – Trust Account”; The trust account may be set up after appointment and the Registrar will require confirmation;
• initial registration requires an original bond in the amount of $5,000.00, issued in the corporate and trade name;
• on a renewal, an endorsement for additional bonding if required. The amount of the bond is calculated based upon the amount of money collected in the calendar year immediately preceding the date of the application for renewal. Where the amount collected was:
  
  Amount collected :$50,000 and less     Bond amount: $5,000
  Amount collected :$50,000 less than $100,000     Bond amount: $10,000
  Amount collected :$100,000 less than $150,000     Bond amount: $15,000
  Amount collected :$150,000 less than $250,000     Bond amount: $20,000
  Amount collected :$250,000 and more     Bond amount: $25,000
  
  
• provide a copy of the most recent / opening financial statement prepared by a person licensed under the Public Accountancy Act;
• all individuals, including partners and active officers and directors of a corporation must pass an examination in order to qualify for registration; Applications for examination please call the office of the Registrar at 416 326-6203 for further information;
• for Corporations / Partnerships a minimum of one completed Collector application / Notice of Employee Change form is required;
• if the shareholder listed in question 5 of the Application for Registration or Bailiff Appointments another corporation, a separate application form must be submitted for each corporate shareholder;
• if the application is for a Sole Proprietorship, the owner should return his/her current certificate of registration.

For renewals -

• a copy of the most recent financial statement with the following certification –
  Pursuant to the provisions of Section 13(6) and Section 14 of Ontario Regulation 74 made under the Collection Agencies Act, I (name of accountant) certify:
  
  1. that I am licensed under the Public Accountancy Act;
  2. that I have prepared the Financial Statement of (registered name of collection agency), a collection agency registered under the Collection Agency Act for the year ended _______________ and:
  3. that the registrant has complied with all the provisions of Ontario Regulation 74 respecting trust accounts as set out in Sections 17 and 18.
  Dated at _____________________ this_______________ day of ________________ 20 ___.