OTTAWA - Credit monitoring agency TransUnion says delinquency rates for non-mortgage loans are on the rise in Canada and it appears the problem can be linked to trouble in the oilpatch.
TransUnion says the ratio of loans past due 90 days or more rose to 2.52 per cent nationally in the first three months of the year from 2.45 per cent a year ago.
However, that was largely due to the downturn Alberta, where the rate increased to 2.8 per cent from 2.5 per cent a year ago, and in Saskatchewan where it rose to 3.04 per cent from 2.88 per cent.
Meanwhile, rates in British Columbia ticked lower to 2.43 per cent from 2.47 per cent, while Ontario improved to 2.57 per cent from 2.59 per cent.
The increase in the national delinquency figures came as the average Canadian's non-mortgage debt level grew to $21,348 from $20,785 a year ago.
TransUnion noted that debt levels were up for auto loans, credit cards and instalment loans. However, lines of credit were lower.
