Alberta is experiencing a higher rate of residents falling behind on non-mortgage debt payments compared to the rest of Canada, as indicated by a recent report. According to Equifax Canada’s Market Pulse report for Q2 2026, published on Monday, Alberta has the highest 90-plus-day delinquency rate on non-mortgage debt. This category encompasses debts from credit card usage, personal loans, installment loans, automobile loans, and buy now, pay later plans.
At 2.45%, Alberta’s delinquency rate surpasses that of other provinces, standing significantly higher than the national average of 1.76%. Kathy Catsiliras, VP of analytical consulting at Equifax Canada, highlighted the substantial difference in rates, attributing Alberta’s higher rate in part to interprovincial migration.
Equifax observed a trend of individuals relocating from provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia to Alberta in recent years, carrying their existing debts with them. This migration is often driven by the desire for a more affordable cost of living, including lower housing expenses and better employment opportunities in Alberta.
Despite leading the country in delinquency rates, Alberta has seen a year-over-year decline in this metric. Cities like Edmonton, Fort McMurray, and Calgary were among the highest-ranked cities in Equifax’s report concerning this statistic. Catsiliras emphasized that while people move to Alberta for cost savings, they continue to face challenges in reducing their debt burdens.
The total consumer debt in Canada rose to $2.68 trillion in Q2 2026, marking a more than four percent increase compared to the previous year. The national credit card debt also surged by nearly $4 billion from Q1 2026. However, Equifax noted a slight improvement in the 90-day delinquency rate for credit cards nationwide, attributing it to more cautious spending habits.
The Credit Counselling Society (CCS) has observed a growing number of Alberta consumers seeking assistance with non-mortgage debt, reflecting a similar trend seen across the country. Isaiah Chan, CCS’s vice president of programs and services, noted that many individuals are taking on higher-risk or higher-cost debts due to challenges with interest rates, employment fluctuations, or income changes.
Chan highlighted that income levels have not kept pace with the rising cost of living, leading individuals to struggle with mounting debts. He emphasized the importance of seeking help promptly and exploring available options to address financial difficulties, cautioning against delaying assistance when dealing with significant debt burdens.