This paper examines small-dollar credit alternatives to the current payday-loan product in the province of Alberta. While we recognize that most people have credit requirements from time to time, the unbanked and underbanked who can least afford to do so are forced to obtain credit under the most unfavorable terms. This needs to change. We believe there is a role to be played by all three levels of government, as well as by investors, philanthropists, financial institutions, community-based lenders, employers, social enterprise and, with modification of the current business model, payday lenders.