1) The document discusses practices and ethics of budget counseling in Canada by a federation of 11 consumer groups and 10 cooperative associations for family economics. 2) It outlines Canada's situation regarding household debt, including high debt-to-income ratios, low savings rates, and rising insolvency issues. 3) Different services for those in debt are described, including credit counseling, trustees, and non-profit organizations like ACEF that take a social work approach emphasizing co-responsibility between consumers and creditors.

1. Practices and Ethic of Budget Counselling Charles Tanguay Union des consommateurs (Québec) CI World Congress 2007 Sydney October 31 2007

5. CI World Congress, Sydney, October 31 2007

7. Practices and Ethic of Budget Counselling Different services for people in debt CI World Congress, Sydney, October 31 2007 Credit Counselling scandal in the USA « Some credit counselling organizations have been accused of using aggressive and abusive marketing practices, misusing their non-profit status, charging consumers excessive fees, and paying excessively high salary to executives. » - US Senate

9. Practices and Ethic of Budget Counselling Different approaches CI World Congress, Sydney, October 31 2007 «Creditors friendly» : Consumers must be responsible and pay their debts Social worker approach: co-responsibility - the consumer do not control all factors; creditors, merchants, publicity also share responsibility - paying debts comes after paying basic needs

10. Practices and Ethic of Budget Counselling Different approaches CI World Congress, Sydney, October 31 2007 Who is paying for the service? Credit Counselling: debt poolling with $ return (%) from creditors ACEF: Charity organization and governmental grants - no tie with creditors

13. Practices and Ethic of Budget Counselling Food for thoughts Easy access to credit CSR of creditor Costs for the society: bankruptcies, health, ... Do we need a regulatory frame on credit offers and publicity such as the ones for alcohol, tobacco and gambling ? CI World Congress, Sydney, October 31 2007

14. Practices and Ethic of Budget Counselling How the credit counselling services look like in your country ? CI World Congress, Sydney, October 31 2007

15. Practices and Ethic of Budget Counselling Merci Thank you Gracias [email_address] CI World Congress, Sydney, October 31 2007