{"id":6495,"date":"2026-09-07T09:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T09:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fatcatloans.ca\/blog\/?p=6495"},"modified":"2026-09-04T08:28:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T08:28:40","slug":"how-long-does-negative-information-stay-on-your-credit-report-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fatcatloans.ca\/blog\/how-long-does-negative-information-stay-on-your-credit-report-in-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does Negative Information Stay on Your Credit Report in Canada?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Understanding How Long Credit Information Can Follow You<\/h2>\n

Last Updated:<\/strong> September 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Missed a payment several years ago and wondering why it’s still on your credit report? You’re not alone.<\/p>\n

Negative information can remain on a Canadian credit report for several years<\/strong>. The exact length of time depends on the type of information, the credit bureau, your province and, in some cases, the circumstances involved.<\/p>\n

In many cases, negative account information may stay on your credit report for up to six years<\/strong>. Bankruptcies, consumer proposals, credit inquiries and other records can have different reporting periods.<\/p>\n

This guide explains how long negative information stays on a credit report in Canada<\/strong>, when information may disappear and what you can do if something on your report is wrong.<\/p>\n

How Long Does Negative Information Stay on a Canadian Credit Report?<\/h2>\n

There isn’t one reporting period that applies to everything on your credit report.<\/p>\n

As a general guide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Type of information<\/th>\nHow long it may appear<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Late or missed payments<\/td>\nUp to 6 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Negative information on credit accounts<\/td>\nUp to 6 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Accounts sent to collections<\/td>\nAbout 6 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hard credit inquiries<\/td>\nEquifax: 3 years; TransUnion: 6 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Consumer proposal<\/td>\n3 years after the included debts are paid, or 6 years after signing the proposal, whichever comes first<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
First bankruptcy<\/td>\nUsually 6 years after discharge; TransUnion uses 7 years in some provinces<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Multiple bankruptcies<\/td>\n14 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Positive credit information<\/td>\nMay remain longer than negative information<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

These are general reporting periods rather than guaranteed removal dates<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Equifax and TransUnion are Canada’s two main credit bureaus. They can have different policies about how long particular information remains on a credit report.<\/p>\n

Provincial rules can also affect reporting periods.<\/p>\n

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)<\/strong><\/a> explains how long different types of information may remain on your credit report and notes that the exact period can depend on the credit bureau and province.<\/p>\n

\"Negative<\/p>\n

How Long Do Late Payments Stay on Your Credit Report?<\/h2>\n

Late and missed payments can generally remain on a Canadian credit report for up to six years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Your payment history is an important part of your credit record. If a lender reports that you didn’t make a payment as agreed, that information doesn’t disappear as soon as you catch up.<\/p>\n

For example, suppose you missed payments on a credit card but later brought the account up to date. The historical late payments may still appear on your credit report during the applicable reporting period.<\/p>\n

That doesn’t necessarily mean an old missed payment will affect every future credit decision in exactly the same way. Lenders use their own criteria when assessing applications.<\/p>\n

How Long Do Collections Stay on Your Credit Report?<\/h2>\n

If an unpaid account is sent to a collection agency, the collection information may generally remain on your credit report for about six years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Paying the collection is still important, but payment doesn’t necessarily make the history disappear immediately.<\/p>\n

The account may instead be updated to show that it has been paid or settled.<\/p>\n

This is an important distinction:<\/p>\n

Paying a legitimate debt doesn’t normally erase the fact that it previously went to collections.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you see a collection account that you don’t recognize or believe is incorrect, however, you can dispute the information.<\/p>\n

How Long Do Hard Credit Checks Stay on Your Credit Report?<\/h2>\n

When you apply for credit, a lender may perform a hard credit inquiry<\/strong>. This can appear on your credit report.<\/p>\n

Hard credit inquiries can stay on your Equifax credit report for 3 years and your TransUnion credit report for 6 years, according to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC).<\/strong><\/p>\n

A hard inquiry isn’t the same as a missed payment or collection account. It simply shows that an organization accessed your credit file in connection with a credit application or another permitted purpose.<\/p>\n

Several hard inquiries within a short period can matter because they may suggest you’re seeking a lot of new credit.<\/p>\n

Not every check is a hard inquiry, though.<\/p>\n

Our Soft vs Hard Credit Checks in Canada<\/a><\/strong> guide explains the difference.<\/p>\n

How Long Does a Consumer Proposal Stay on Your Credit Report?<\/h2>\n

A consumer proposal can remain on your credit report after you’ve finished making the required payments.<\/p>\n

According to FCAC, Equifax and TransUnion remove a consumer proposal 3 years after you’ve paid all the debts included in the proposal, or 6 years after you signed the proposal, whichever comes first.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This means the removal date depends partly on how long it takes you to complete your proposal.<\/p>\n

How Long Does Bankruptcy Stay on Your Credit Report in Canada?<\/h2>\n

A first bankruptcy<\/strong> is generally removed from your credit report 6 years after you’re discharged<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

TransUnion keeps a first bankruptcy for 7 years after discharge<\/strong> in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.<\/p>\n

If you declare bankruptcy more than once, the credit bureaus may keep the information on your credit report for 14 years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is one reason it’s important to distinguish between:<\/p>\n