Our Promise: EMT Cash connects Canadians with licensed lenders through a transparent, pressure-free process. We believe every borrower deserves honest information, clear loan terms, and the freedom to make an informed decision — without any obligation to accept an offer.
1. Our Commitment to Responsible Lending
EMT Cash operates as a loan referral service. While we do not lend money directly, we are committed to ensuring that every interaction with our platform promotes responsible borrowing and fair lending practices.
We take our role seriously. The lenders we work with are selected based on their compliance with Canadian provincial lending laws, their commitment to transparent disclosure, and their fair treatment of borrowers.
All lending partners in our network are required to hold valid provincial licences and comply with applicable consumer protection legislation in the provinces where they operate.
2. Lender Partner Standards
Before any lender is admitted to the EMT Cash network, we require them to meet the following minimum standards:
Licensing & Compliance
- Hold a valid payday lending licence in each province they serve
- Comply fully with applicable provincial consumer protection and payday lending legislation
- Maintain any required registrations with provincial regulators
Transparent Disclosure
- Clearly disclose the total cost of borrowing, interest rate (APR), and all fees before the borrower signs
- Provide a written loan agreement in plain, easy-to-understand language
- Not hide fees in fine print or use misleading advertising
Fair Borrower Treatment
- Never use aggressive, deceptive, or high-pressure sales tactics
- Respect a borrower's right to decline or cancel an offer
- Provide a clear and accessible complaints process
- Not charge fees that are prohibited under provincial law
| Province | Max Cost per $100 Borrowed | Governing Legislation |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $15 | Payday Loans Act, 2008 |
| British Columbia | $15 | Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act |
| Alberta | $15 | Consumer Protection Act |
| Manitoba | $17 | Consumer Protection Act |
| Nova Scotia | $19 | Consumer Protection Act |
| New Brunswick | $15 | Cost of Credit Disclosure and Payday Loans Act |
| Prince Edward Island | $25 | Consumer Protection Act |
Rates reflect current provincial maximums. EMT Cash does not set or guarantee any specific rate — all costs are determined by the individual lender.
3. Affordability and Suitability
Short-term payday loans are designed for genuine, temporary financial emergencies — not as a long-term financial strategy. EMT Cash encourages every applicant to honestly assess their situation before applying.
Only borrow what you needAvoid borrowing more than the minimum required to cover your immediate need.
Know your repayment datePayday loans are typically repaid on your next paycheque. Ensure the timing works for your budget.
Calculate total costReview the full amount you will repay — principal plus all fees — before accepting any offer.
Avoid repeat borrowingIf you regularly rely on payday loans, consider speaking with a non-profit credit counsellor.
High cost of borrowing: Payday loans carry a high annual percentage rate (APR) compared to traditional credit products. For example, a $15 fee on a $100 two-week loan equals an APR of approximately 391%. Always consider lower-cost alternatives first.
4. Transparency in Our Process
EMT Cash is committed to being fully transparent about how our service works and how we are compensated.
How We Make Money
We receive a referral fee from lending partners when a successful connection is made. This fee is paid by the lender, not the borrower. It does not affect the interest rate or fees charged to you.
No Pressure, No Obligation
Submitting a loan request through EMT Cash does not obligate you to accept any offer. You are free to review any offer presented, ask questions directly of the lender, and decline without penalty.
Advertising Standards
All claims made on our website are accurate and substantiated. We do not guarantee approval, promise specific loan amounts, or advertise rates we cannot deliver. Any rate or example shown is for illustrative purposes only.
Our Advertising Disclosure provides full details on how content on this site may be influenced by compensation arrangements with lending partners.
5. Vulnerable Borrower Protections
We recognize that financial stress can make people vulnerable to making decisions that may not be in their best long-term interest. EMT Cash takes the following steps to protect vulnerable borrowers:
- Age verification: We require applicants to confirm they meet the minimum age of majority in their province (18 or 19 years).
- No targeting of distress: We do not use marketing tactics that exploit financial desperation or urgency to pressure applications.
- Cooling-off information: We encourage borrowers to be aware that some provinces provide a statutory right to cancel a payday loan agreement within a short period after signing.
- Debt spiral awareness: We actively warn against using new payday loans to repay existing payday loan debt, as this can accelerate financial hardship.
If you are experiencing severe financial hardship, we encourage you to contact a non-profit credit counselling service before applying for a payday loan. Free and confidential services are available across Canada through the Credit Counselling Society and similar organizations.
6. Provincial Regulatory Compliance
Payday lending in Canada is regulated at the provincial level. EMT Cash is aware of and respects the legislative framework governing payday loans in each province we serve.
Key consumer protections under most provincial payday lending laws include:
- A cap on the maximum cost of borrowing per $100 loaned
- A prohibition on rollovers (rolling one payday loan into another)
- A statutory right to cancel the loan within a defined cooling-off period
- Restrictions on lenders collecting payments from borrowers who are already repaying another payday loan
- Requirements for lenders to post their rates and fees publicly
- Mandatory plain-language loan agreements
Lenders who violate these protections are removed from our network.
7. Alternatives to Payday Loans
Before applying for a payday loan, we encourage you to consider whether any of these lower-cost alternatives might meet your needs:
- Bank or credit union personal loan — typically lower interest rates for those with established credit
- Credit card cash advance — generally lower APR than a payday loan, though still high
- Employer payroll advance — some employers offer interest-free advances against earned wages
- Government assistance programs — provincial or federal emergency benefit programs may be available
- Non-profit credit counselling — free budgeting and debt management support
- Community organizations — local charities and food banks may provide emergency financial relief
- Family or friends — informal loans with no interest, if available to you
8. Complaints and Feedback
If you have a complaint about a lender's conduct — including unfair collection practices, undisclosed fees, or any behaviour you believe violates provincial consumer protection law — you have multiple options:
- Contact the lender directly — most lenders are required to maintain a formal complaints process
- Contact your provincial consumer protection office — each province has a designated regulator for payday lending complaints
- Contact EMT Cash — if a lender in our network has behaved improperly, we want to know so we can take action
Report a Lender Conduct Issue
Email: compliance@emtcash.ca | We respond within 3 business days.
9. Policy Review and Updates
EMT Cash reviews this Responsible Lending Policy at least annually, and whenever there are material changes to applicable provincial lending regulations or our business practices. Updates are effective immediately upon posting to this page.
We encourage borrowers and partners to check this page periodically for the latest version of our policy.