Government Support for Clients During COVID-19 Pandemic

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.

• • Allowed the Government to purchase $150 Billion of insured mortgage pools through CMHC.
  • The Insured Mortgage Purchase Program has ended. 
  • For more information click HERE.

• • The federal government has worked with financial institutions to allow consumers to defer mortgage payments. Mortgage deferrals are agreements between you and your financial institution that allow you to delay your mortgage payments for a defined period.
  • For more information click HERE.

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

• • 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 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.

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

• • 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.

• • CERS provides rent subsidies directly to businesses, rather than landlords, with a base subsidy rate of up to 65% available on eligible expenses. The current rate structures were  available until June 5, 2021.
  • Click HERE for recent updates, eligibility information and the application process.

This program was an evolution of CERB for workers who were self-employed or were not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) but still required income support. CRB provided $500/week for up to 26 weeks.

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

This program was an evolution of CERB for workers who were sick or had to self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19. CRSB provided $500/week for up to two weeks.

NOTE: The CRSB ended on May 7, 2022. Click HERE for more information.

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

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