About Me
Hi, I’m Barry Nykyforuk.
Founder of BNA Debt Solutions & Licensed Insolvency Trustee
People rarely come to us with just debt on a page. They come carrying stress, private worries, and fear that things have gone too far. Nearly three decades in this work has taught me one thing: people need clarity, respect, and a real path forward.
Licensed Insolvency Trustee with nearly three decades of experience
Founder of BNA Debt Solutions
Mentor to BNA’s trustees, administrators, and intake team
Still involved in preserving BNA’s culture, standards, and client-first approach
Decades of Navigating Provincial Regulations and Protections
More than debt relief
Why I still stay close to the work
A debt crisis is a chapter in your book, not the ending. Our focus is to help people find a clear path forward. No judgment. Just respect, honesty, and practical guidance.”
– Barry Nykyforuk
I may be in retirement now, but BNA is still a very important part of my life.
I don’t come into the office every day the way I once did. But I still check in, stay connected to the team, and care deeply about the standard of service every person receives when they call us for help.
Over the years, I’ve learned that people do not come to BNA looking for a sales pitch. They want someone calm enough to listen and experienced enough to explain what their options really mean.
That is the culture I wanted to build from the beginning. And that is the culture I still help protect today.
When I’m not spending time with family, reading, walking, golfing, or talking cars, I’m still connected to the people and values that shaped BNA.
BNA debt solutions
Why I built BNA differently
When I started BNA, I saw too many people feeling confused at the exact moment they needed clear guidance. They did not need pressure. They needed someone to explain their options plainly and help them understand what could happen next.
That became the foundation of BNA Debt Solutions.
01 | Listen first
Every person’s situation is different. Before we talk about a consumer proposal, bankruptcy, or any other option, the team starts by understanding the full picture.
02 | Use the right legal tools
As Licensed Insolvency Trustees, BNA’s trustees can use formal options under federal law, including consumer proposals and bankruptcies. The goal is to help people understand what protection may be available and what each path would mean.
03 | Keep the standard personal
My role today is not to handle every file myself. It is to help preserve the standard BNA was built on: honest guidance, careful planning, and a team that treats people like people.
How do we help?
The legal options BNA can help you understand
Over the years, I have learned that the right answer is not always the same for every person. That is why BNA’s team starts by looking at the full situation before explaining which legal options may fit.
Consumer Proposal
A consumer proposal may be an option when you have income, but unsecured debt has become too hard to manage on your own. It can combine eligible unsecured debts into one structured payment, stop interest on those included debts, and provide legal protection from most creditor actions.
Division I Proposal
Some situations involve larger debts, business obligations, tax issues, or assets that need more careful planning. In those cases, a Division I Proposal may offer a formal way to restructure debt under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. The goal is to create a plan that reflects the full situation, not just the balance owing.
Personal Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy exists because some situations require legal protection and a structured path forward. When it is the right fit, BNA’s Licensed Insolvency Trustees and team explain the process clearly, including what may be protected and what responsibilities apply.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions people often ask before they reach out
Am I too old to deal with debt or protect my retirement?
No. Many people reach out later in life because retirement is exactly what they are trying to protect. Some savings, including many RRSPs, may have legal protections depending on the situation. BNA’s team can help you understand what those rules may mean for you.
Will I lose everything if I ask for debt help?
Not usually. Many people keep more than they expect, depending on the option they choose and the assets involved. The first step is simply understanding what is protected, what may be at risk, and what choices are available before anything moves forward.
What makes Licensed Insolvency Trustee options different?
Some debt options are informal and depend on creditor cooperation. Formal insolvency options, such as consumer proposals and bankruptcies, are filed through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and can provide legal protection under federal law. That difference matters when collections, interest, or wage garnishments have become unmanageable.
Why do people choose BNA Debt Solutions?
People choose BNA because we are a licensed, Alberta-based team with nearly three decades of experience helping people understand formal debt solutions. Our role is to explain the options clearly, build realistic plans, and help people make informed decisions without pressure.
How do I know if it is time to talk to someone?
If debt is affecting your sleep, your paycheque, your relationships, or your ability to plan ahead, it may be time to ask questions. A consultation does not commit you to anything. It simply gives you a private place to understand your options.
What my experience still brings to BNA
I am not in the office every day now, but the way BNA works still carries my fingerprints. My role today is less about being the person on every file and more about protecting the standard behind every file.
That standard is simple: listen first, explain the options clearly, and give people realistic guidance without making them feel judged.
When someone reaches out to BNA, the goal is not to rush them into a decision. It is to help them understand what is happening, what their legal options may be, and what a practical next step could look like.
That is the standard I built, and it is the standard BNA continues to work from today.
A clearer path forward can begin today
You don’t have to figure this out alone
I have seen thousands of Albertans reach out after months, sometimes years, of trying to manage debt quietly on their own. Teachers, business owners, parents, retirees. People who worked hard and still found themselves overwhelmed.
Even in retirement, I stay connected to this firm because I believe people deserve clear answers before they make big financial decisions. They deserve clear answers, honest guidance, and a team that treats their situation with care.
So if you are not sure where to start, that is okay. You do not need to have everything figured out before you reach out. The BNA team will look at it with you, honestly and without judgment.
What our clients say
From first call to final release, nearly 30 years of trust
For over 27 years, BNA Debt Solutions has been a trusted ally to Albertans feeling the weight of financial stress. We’ve helped thousands find hope and relief from crushing debt, offering compassionate support and clear, trustworthy guidance at every step.
If you are in a position where you need to find a solution out of debt, reach out to BNA for more information. There is no commitment to find out what options are available. I was embarrassed and uncomfortable to share the details of my experience but Sammie immediately put me at ease. She is compassionate, knowledgeable, flexible and an amazing problem solver. She covered all options available to me at my convenience, she passed no judgment, and I felt no pressure to commit. Together we settled on an option that worked best for me. It is never a winning situation to be in a position where you need to dig yourself out of a hole you created but I can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to the team at BNA.
You walk in anxious and heavy, that awful burning in the pit of your stomach that comes with debt; feelings of shame, uselessness, irresponsibility. But then you talk to a representative like Simmie, and the weight of the burden begins to melt away. She’s there for you, she talks you through many options, she answers each and every one of your questions with clarity and compassion. Not only does she want to help, she’s trained and licensed to do so. There is work involved for you in this collaborative process, papers and numbers and lists but in the end you are presented with a very feasible, simple plan that allows you to breathe, to engage with your life and your finances in a measured way. I cannot thank Simmie and BNS enough for their empathy, quick turnaround, and straightforward processes.
Unfortunately ran into a sticky financial situation and was referred to BNA Debt Solutions through a debt counselling service. Have had a few meetings and they were always very helpful, kind and understanding. They made my consumer proposal very easy to understand and walked me through it all to ensure I was comfortable with the documents before we took any action. If you’re stressing out about financials, there is help available and I wish I would have reached out earlier. BNA is a great option!
I’ve got myself in very ugly financial situation. It was so stressful that I thought my life is over. It had very big impact on my mental and physical health. When I found out about BNA and their business it was just thin hope that maybe I would find some help. My first appointment was with Simmie Pandher in the office of BNA. After I presented my situation and my worries, Simmie has shown an enthusiastic interest to understand , assist and help me. She sounds like an angel when she said to me that I came to right place where they will find right solution for me. She told me that all my worries ,sleepless night and other concerns will be over. Now because of professional dedication and knowledge of Simmie and Andy Wong and their all team I am back to life again. THANK YOU!
Bad things happen to good people, especially in times of economic and employment uncertainty.
From the very beginning, from my first phone call, BNA Solutions has treated me with respect, empathy and complete professionalism.
The staff were very thorough, knowledgeable and prompt with all my interactions. All options were explained to me and I felt there was hope rather than darkness and despair.
Have used BNA Debt Solutions twice. Once for credit card debt and another regarding a business failure. Both times very empathetic to my situation. I felt I had someone in my corner when it came to dealing with institutions that were aggressive and not empathetic to our situation. Would recommend them infact I have sent three other individuals that had financial challenges and they were grateful that I recommended such a strong team of advocates for their situations.
