About Me
Hi, I’m Melanie Goulet.
Licensed Insolvency Trustee at BNA Debt Solutions
Life can change quickly, and when it does, financial pressure can build faster than most people expect. If that is where you are right now, I want you to know you are not alone. For more than 14 years, I have worked with good people facing difficult situations, and my role is to listen without judgment, understand the full picture, and help you find a path forward that feels clear and manageable.
14+ years of experience in insolvency and debt solutions
CIRP and Licensed Insolvency Trustee
Experienced in creditor negotiation and conflict resolution
Court experience in complex insolvency matters
Guidance through tax issues, income changes, and major life transitions
More than debt relief
Helping you work through difficult situations
There is no shame in needing help. In fact, filing a bankruptcy or a Proposal is one of the most powerful ways to take ownership and responsibility for your finances.”
– Melanie Goulet
I come from an Alberta community where people look out for one another, and that same spirit shapes how I work. When someone comes in feeling scared, embarrassed, or overwhelmed, I do not see a failure. I see a person dealing with real pressure. My first job is to help you feel safe enough to talk honestly about what is happening so we can start working toward the right solution.
Over the last fourteen years, I’ve come to learn that some of the most successful, responsible people I’ve met have still managed to fall on hard times. Sometimes tax bills pile up for years. Sometimes divorce, job loss, or getting sick completely turns your life upside down. Whatever brought you here, I take time to understand your full story. Then we put together a plan that protects you and treats you with the respect you deserve.
I know how overwhelming debt can feel. The calls keep coming, the mail becomes something you do not want to open, and it can be hard to think clearly about what to do next. My role is to bring calm, honesty, and practical guidance to that moment. We will talk through your situation clearly, look at your options, and focus on the steps that can reduce pressure and help you move forward. And when the moment allows for a little humour, I believe that can help too.
When I’m not working, you can usually find me camping out in the woods somewhere in Alberta with my family. Being out in nature reminds me that even after the longest, darkest winters, spring is still going to come around. It keeps me grounded. That same patience and hope is what I try to bring when we sit down together.
How do we help?
Practical legal tools to rewrite your financial reality
Consumer Proposal
A Consumer Proposal can be a practical way to protect what you have worked hard for while making your debt more manageable. It allows you to combine unsecured debts into one structured monthly payment, often reducing the total amount you need to repay while stopping interest and collection pressure.
Division I Proposal
When debt exceeds $250,000, the situation becomes more complex, and the path forward requires careful planning. I have experience working with the CRA, major creditors, and the Court in complex insolvency matters, and part of my role is helping clients navigate those high-pressure situations with clarity and support. You do not have to face those conversations alone.
Personal Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is not a personal failure. It is a legal process that helps people get relief and a fresh start when they need one. If it is the right fit for your situation, I will explain it clearly and carefully so you understand what it means, the protection it can provide, and what rebuilding can look like from there.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What people ask before they even start
Is it my fault that I’m in this situation?
No, it’s not. Life is unpredictable, and even careful people can be caught off guard by job loss, divorce, illness, or tax issues. Needing help doesn’t mean you’ve failed – it means you’re ready to take control of what comes next.
What if I haven’t filed my self-employed taxes in years?
This is way more common than you might think. We can work together to get your tax filings sorted out and deal with what you owe. The sooner we start, the more options we usually have.
Will I have to go to court?
In most cases, no. For Consumer Proposals, you typically won’t need to appear in court. If a court appearance is needed for more complex cases, I’ll be right there with you – handling all the hard stuff.
Will creditors just keep contacting me repeatedly?
Once we file a proposal or a bankruptcy case, creditors are legally required to stop contacting you directly. Those calls and letters should stop almost overnight, giving you the peace you need to focus on your future.
How do we make sure this doesn’t happen again?
Let’s look at the whole picture from all sides. I’m here to help you build a budget and habits that fit your life like a glove, not just a generic spreadsheet. My aim is to get you set up for long-term stability, not a quick fix that leaves you back where you started soon after.
14 years of honest advocacy make the difference
| What Happens | Melanie & BNA (Trustees) | Other Debt Groups |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Honest, one-on-one conversations. | Often scripted and corporate. |
| Conflict Resolution | We talk directly to your creditors. | You handle the difficult calls alone. |
| Court Representation | We can stand with you in Court. | No legal authority to appear. |
| Taxes & Life Events | We understand self-employed and divorce debt. | Usually limited to simpler situations. |
| The End Goal | Helping you feel calm and in control. | Focus is often on closing the file rather than long-term outcomes. |
A clearer path forward can begin today
You’ve carried this financial weight long enough.
There is a moment when the phone rings and your chest tightens. I know that feeling. But this season of stress is only one chapter in your story. It does not define who you are. It is not permanent. There is always a way forward, even if it doesn’t feel clear right now.
If you are ready to talk, I am here to listen. There is no pressure. There is no sales pitch. There is no judgment. Just a calm conversation about where you are today and where you would like to be tomorrow. You can reach out whenever you feel ready. We will figure this out together, one small step at a time.
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.
