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Government Support for Clients During COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on April 07, 2021 by AREA Communications in News

Last updated: May 17, 2022

The Canadian and Albertan governments have released 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)

    • 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.

Mortgage Deferrals (Federal)

    • 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.

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 Rent Subsidy – CERS (Federal)

    • 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.

Canada Recovery Benefit – CRB (Federal)

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.

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit – CRSB (Federal)

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.

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit – CRCB (Federal)

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.

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

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

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

Alberta Real Estate Association Suite 217, 3332 20 Street SW Calgary, Alberta T2T 6T9
Toll Free: 1.800.661.0231 In Calgary: 1.403.228.6845
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Our membership work and live in Alberta, which we acknowledge as the traditional and ancestral lands of many peoples presently subject to Treaties 6, 7, and 8 – namely the Blackfoot Confederacy (Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika), the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda and the Tsuu T’ina Nation, and the Métis People of Alberta. We recognize the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have cared for these lands for generations. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today, and those who have gone before. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those on whose territory we reside.
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