well to be precise, an agency may still sue, but the debtor could very easily defend based on the SOL.

if you guys want to look through all the other legislation, feel free to use my bookmarks:

http://www.qp.gov.ab.ca/documents/Regs/1999_194.cfm?frm_isbn=0779743393
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/b/04002_07.htm
http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/oca-bc.nsf/en/h_ca02149e.html
http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/c200e.php#98
http://www.gnb.ca/0062/regs/84-256.htm
http://www.gs.gov.nl.ca/cca/tp/collection-agencies/faq.stm
http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/consumer/collect.asp
http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/PDF/ACTS/Consumer_Protect.pdf
http://stage.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/2692_3ea.htm
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2006/elaws_src_regs_r06103_e.htm
http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=53408
http://www.educaloi.qc.ca/en/loi/consumers/372/
http://www.justice.gov.sk.ca/problems-with-collection-agencies
http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/copr.pdf

(funny I already had the link angella gave us, just never read it in depth =)

It applies only to Alberta... which is where I live. I'm pretty sure it doesn't apply in Ontario... although I'm not sure with the new rules. I don't know about the other provinces. Many of them are similar, but don't contain all the same rules. I suggest that everyone learn the relevant legislation for their province.

However... whichever province you live in, they cannot sue past SOL. Once SOL has passed, the debtor holds the cards. The only way a collection agency is going to get any money is if the debtor chooses to hand it over. Since the collection agency has no cards to hold, (and I would track proof of violations) you get to dictate the terms of your payment. Some money is better than none... and you have no obligation to take abuse from or to explain yourself to the collection agency.

Thanks, I believe they like to torture us in Nova Scotia.

cheers, thanks for the link.

@joe - that applies to AB only.

Nicely done, I wonder if this rule applies to all provinces and territories. If you can find out Monty would post these links for people to read.

Absolutely.

From the Fair Trading Act of Alberta... Queen's Printer's Bookstore:
http://www.qp.gov.ab.ca/documents/Regs/1999_194.cfm?frm_isbn=9780779732340

Prohibited practices for collection agencies

12(1) No collection agency or collector may
(x) pursue a non‑judgment debt where the last payment or written acknowledgement by the debtor is more than 6 years previous;

Aaahhh the internet! A collection agent's worst nightmare...

If a debt is owed they can still call till it’s paid or settled even if it’s not reporting on your credit file any longer.

I don't know of any province where (all things being equal) it's illegal to call on an old debt.

Care to elaborate?

Yes, a credit card is, by now, uncollectible. Depending on the province you're in, it may even be against the law for them to call you on this.

Well you have a number of options... You could pay... (You do owe the money, after all)... Offer to settle... Ignore them...

They can continue to call you unless you send them a registered letter asking to contact you by mail only and/or instructing them to take you to court (at which point you can defend based on the statute of limitations.)