If your business has been impacted by COVID-19, you could get a retroactive rent subsidy that covers up to 65% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $75,000 per business location, and $300,000 in total for all locations, with additional amounts for temporary closures.

• Rent or own property for business purposes
• Had a CRA business number as of September 27, 2020, OR had a payroll account (or remittances were being made on your behalf) as of March 15, 2020
• Experienced a drop in revenue due to COVID-19

1. Apply for the subsidy through Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) My Business Account or Represent a client.
2. Get a CERS number by signing into your account and clicking “Create a CERS number”.
3. Set up direct deposit (if you don’t, that’s ok, but you’ll receive your money a bit later via cheque).
4. You’ll need to get a CERS number and set up direct deposit (if you haven’t already).
5. Submit an application for each of the claim periods you’re eligible for.
6. Payments via direct deposit should be processed in about 3 to 8 days.
7. Keep records that support your subsidy claims.

Note: The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) ended effective October 23, 2021, and was replaced by 2 new programs. You may continue to apply for the claim periods that are still open, but there are no new periods after CERS claim period 14, which ended on October 23, 2021.

• Maximum: $75,000/eligible location up to a maximum of $300,000
• If you qualify for CERS and had to shut your doors for a lockdown, there’s an additional top-up: 25% times (the number of days in lockdown divided by 28)
• If your landlord received money from the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program and they applied the amount to your future rent payments, you can still claim the full rent amount in the current period
• Funding duration: September 27, 2020, to September 25, 2021
• Heads up! The amount will gradually decrease beginning July 4, 2021
• Heads up! This subsidy is taxable

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Direct Support for Commercial Tenants

British Columbia

Housing