COVID-19 Update – Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program

The Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (OCECRA) program partners the province with the federal government (through the federal Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program) in helping commercial landlords and tenants manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their respective businesses. 

Details continue to emerge about the OCECRA program.  While many of the specifics remain unclear, many important details have begun to take shape.  Even still, with so many of the specifics of the program left undefined landlords and tenants are well advised not to take action before it is clear if, how, and when they will qualify for the program.

OCECRA Basics

• The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will administer the program, in partnership with the province, and provide forgivable loans to commercial landlords that cover half of the monthly gross rent owing by tenants for April, May, and June of 2020.