What is the difference between Equifax and TransUnion in Canada?

Equifax and TransUnion are the two major credit bureaus operating in Canada. Both collect credit data from lenders and produce credit reports and scores, but they operate independently. Your scores will likely differ between the two bureaus because lenders do not always report to both, scoring models differ, and report update timing varies.

Why is my Equifax score different from my TransUnion score?

Your Equifax and TransUnion scores differ because: (1) not all lenders report to both bureaus, (2) the two bureaus use different proprietary scoring algorithms, (3) data may have been updated at different times. A 10–30 point difference is normal. A 50+ point difference may indicate an error on one report or a collection that was reported to only one bureau.

Which credit bureau do Canadian banks use — Equifax or TransUnion?

Most major Canadian banks (TD, RBC, Scotiabank, BMO) check both bureaus for large credit decisions like mortgages and substantial personal loans. For credit cards and smaller credit lines, they typically check one bureau only — often Equifax in Ontario and BC, and TransUnion in Quebec and some western provinces, but this varies by institution and product.

How do I get my free Equifax and TransUnion reports in Canada?

Both bureaus are required by Canadian consumer protection law to provide one free credit report per year by mail. You can also access your reports online for free through Borrowell (Equifax data) and Credit Karma Canada (TransUnion data). These free services provide your score in addition to the full report.

Which bureau is more important in Canada — Equifax or TransUnion?

Neither bureau is universally more important. Lenders choose which bureau they pull based on internal policy. Because you do not know which bureau your lender will check, maintaining a healthy profile on both is the right approach. Some mortgage lenders pull both and use the lower score, which is particularly important to know.

How long does negative information stay on a credit report in Canada?

Equifax and TransUnion have different retention timelines. Late payments typically stay 6–7 years. Collections stay 6 years from the date of last activity. Bankruptcies stay 6 years on Equifax after discharge and up to 7 years on TransUnion. Consumer proposals stay 3 years after completion on Equifax and 6 years on TransUnion.

Can I dispute an error on my Equifax or TransUnion report in Canada?

Yes. Both bureaus have online and mail dispute processes. You submit evidence of the error (e.g., payment confirmation, account closure letter) and the bureau has 30 days to investigate. If the error is confirmed, it must be corrected. You must dispute with each bureau separately — fixing your Equifax report does not automatically fix TransUnion.

Equifax vs. TransUnion Canada: What's the Difference?

Equifax and TransUnion are Canada’s two major credit bureaus. They collect the same types of data — your payment history, balances, credit limits, and public records — but they operate independently. Your scores will almost always be slightly different, and understanding both is important because you don’t always know which one a lender will check.

Side-by-side comparison

Feature	Equifax Canada	TransUnion Canada
Credit score range	300–900	300–900
Scoring model used	Equifax Risk Score (proprietary)	CreditVision Risk Score (proprietary)
Free report (annual, by mail)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Free score online (third-party)	Borrowell (free Equifax score)	Credit Karma Canada (free TU score)
Score via bank apps	TD MySpend (Equifax), others	Scotiabank, CIBC use TU in some products
Headquarters (Canada)	Toronto, ON	Burlington, ON
Consumer dispute process	Online at equifax.ca or by mail	Online at transunion.ca or by mail

How your scores can differ

Lenders don’t always report to both bureaus, which can create meaningful differences:

Scenario	Equifax Score	TransUnion Score	Why
A collection was reported to Equifax only	590	660	TU has no collection on file
A card with high limit reports to TU only	720	760	Higher limit improves TU utilization ratio
You recently opened a new account; TU updated faster	740	720	TU received the data first
Both bureaus have identical data	742	728	Different algorithms; normal divergence

A difference of 10–30 points is normal. A difference of 50+ points warrants pulling both full reports to find a discrepancy.

Which lenders use which bureau in Canada

Lenders do not publicly disclose their bureau preferences, but based on FCAC data and industry reporting:

Lender Type	Typical Bureau Used	Notes
Big 5 banks (mortgage)	Both Equifax and TransUnion	Many pull both; may use lower score
Big 5 banks (credit card)	Often Equifax	Varies by product and region
Credit unions	Often TransUnion	Varies significantly by province and CU
Auto lenders / dealerships	TransUnion	Common for vehicle financing
Alternative lenders	Equifax	Common for personal loans
Cell phone carriers (contract)	TransUnion	Frequently used for wireless
Utility companies	Equifax or TransUnion	Varies by provider
Landlord credit checks	Either or both	Depends on service used

How to access your free reports

Borrowell (Equifax data)

Free Equifax credit score updated weekly
Full Equifax credit report viewable online
Account required; no credit card
Website: borrowell.com

Credit Karma Canada (TransUnion data)

Free TransUnion score updated weekly
Full TransUnion report viewable
Account required; no credit card

Direct from the bureaus (annual free report by mail)

Equifax: equifax.ca → consumer → request free report
TransUnion: transunion.ca → consumer → request free report
Free annual mail request is required under Canadian consumer protection regulations

Paid monitoring (from the bureaus directly)

Both bureaus offer paid subscription services (~$20–$25/month) that provide daily monitoring, identity theft alerts, and score simulators. The free third-party services cover most Canadians’ needs.

Negative information retention: Equifax vs. TransUnion

Negative Item	Equifax (Ontario/BC)	TransUnion
Late payment (30/60/90 days)	6 years from date of late payment	6 years
Collection account	6 years from date of last activity	6 years from date of last activity
Consumer proposal	3 years after completion (or 6 years from filing — whichever is less)	6 years from filing date
Bankruptcy (first)	6 years after discharge	6 years after discharge (7 in some provinces)
Bankruptcy (second or more)	14 years after discharge	14 years
Hard inquiry	3 years	6 years
Judgment (court order)	6 years from filing	6 years from filing

Key difference: Consumer proposals disappear from Equifax 3 years after completion, but remain on TransUnion for 6 years from the filing date. This means TransUnion records last longer for completed proposals.

How to dispute an error

Both bureaus have separate dispute processes. Fixing one does not fix the other — you must dispute separately.

Step	Equifax	TransUnion
1	Pull your free report at equifax.ca	Pull your free report at transunion.ca
2	Identify the error (wrong account, wrong status, wrong balance)	Same
3	Submit dispute online with supporting documentation	Same
4	Bureau has 30 days to investigate	Same
5	If verified as error, the bureau corrects your file	Same
6	Receive written confirmation of the outcome	Same

If the bureau rules against you: You have the right to add a consumer statement (100-word note explaining your side) to your file. You can also escalate to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or your provincial privacy commissioner.