Government Support for Clients During COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on February 01, 2020 by AREA Communications

Last updated: October 22, 2020

The Canadian and Albertan governments have begun their plans to protect the economy and those impacted by COVID-19. Both governments are currently working on the initiatives below. We will be updating this page with links as more information regarding processes and applications as they are rolled out, so please check back regularly.

Federal Government Financial Support Questions (Federal):

The federal government has created a short questionnaire to assist Canadians identify COVID-19 relief programs they may be eligible to receive. To take the questionnaire click HERE.

Insured Mortgage Purchase Program (Federal):

Allows the Government to purchase $50 Billion of insured mortgage pools through CMHC.
For more information click HERE.

Benchmark Rate Suspension (Federal):

Suspension of new Benchmark rate for the minimum qualifying rate for insured mortgages until further notice.

Loan Deferrals (Alberta):

Currently, ATB customers can apply for deferral on loans, lines of credit, and mortgages. Credit Unions may be following suit shortly.
For more information from ATB click HERE.
Check with your financial institution if they are participating.

Education Property Tax Freeze (Alberta)

Education property taxes will be frozen at last year’s level. They were set to be risen in Budget 2020, but the government has decided to forgo the population & inflation related increase.

Education Property Tax Deferral (Alberta)

Effective immediately, the government will defer education property tax for businesses for six months.

WCB Premium Deferral (Alberta)

Private sector premium for WCB are now deferred until early 2021 (effectively for one year).
Employers who have already paid for 2020 are eligible for a rebate or credit
Small and Medium businesses will receive additional assistance from the government of 50% of the premium when it is due.
- Click HERE for WCB’s Premium relief for employers fact sheet.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit – CERB (Federal)

This program has now ended. Former recipients may be eligible for the Canada Recovery Benefit, Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, and/or the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.

Canada Recovery Benefit – CRB (Federal)

This program is an evolution of CERB for workers who are self-employed or are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) who still require income support. CRB provides $500/week for up to 26 weeks.

NOTE: Applications for this program open October 12, 2020. Click HERE for more information.

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit – CRSB (Federal)

This program is an evolution of CERB for workers who are sick or must self-isolate f or reasons related to COVID-19. CRSB provides $500/week for up to two weeks.

NOTE: Applications for this program are now open. Click HERE for more information.

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit – CRCB (Federal)

This program is an evolution of CERB for workers who cannot work because they must provide care to children or family members due to the closure of schools, day cares or care facilities. CRCB provides $500/week for up to 26 weeks per household.

NOTE: Applications for this program are now open. Click HERE for more information.

For more information on the CRB, CRSB, and CRCB click HERE.

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program (Federal):

Only previously approved applicants can opt for extensions.
Provides forgivable loan to qualifying commercial property owners to cover 50% of rent for April, May, and June 2020.
The loan will be forgivable if the property owner and tenant agree to reduce the eligible small business tenants’ rent by at least 75% for April, May and June under a rent forgiveness agreement. This agreement must include a term not to evict the tenant while the agreement is in place. Eligible landlords and tenants would each be responsible for 25% of the remaining costs.
Qualifying small businesses must: pay less than $50,000 per month in rent, have been asked to close, or near-close their operations due to COVID-19 have experienced at least a 70% drop in pre-COVID-19 revenues.
More information on this program is being developed at present.

Click HERE for more information on programs proposed by the Federal Government

Click HERE for more information on programs proposed by the Provincial Government