This post was originally published May 8, 2020 and was last
updated on October 6, 2020.
On April 24, 2020, the Government of Canada
announced that, in partnership with the provinces and
territories, it would be providing relief to landlords who agree to
reduce eligible commercial tenants' rent obligations by at
least 75% during the months of April, May and June 2020
(subsequently extended through the end of September 2020). Under
the program, known as CECRA, the federal and provincial/territorial
governments are partnering to pay 50% of the gross rent in the form
of a forgivable loan to landlords. The program is administered by
the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), with the
assistance of MCAP and First Canadian Title, through an application
portal that opened on May 25, 2020. While there has been no
indication that CECRA will be extended beyond September 2020,
existing participants are eligible to apply for the September
extension until October 30,
