Canadian Chamber concerned that CECRA, like patio season, is coming to an end too soon.

(OTTAWA) – September 8, 2020 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Director of Tax and Financial Policy, Patrick Gill, issued the following statement on today’s extension of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program.

“If CECRA is ending later this month, then main street businesses need to know what comes next, and they need to know now. Whatever comes next needs to be easier to use by Canada’s small businesses, and with more flexible options. 

As patios close and foot traffic diminishes with cooler weather, businesses need to know what help will be available to get them through this period of reduced revenues amid continued government restrictions. 

The federal government continues to demonstrate an openness to improving its emergency programs for Canadian businesses and their workers. While Canada’s main street stores and restaurants will benefit from the one month extension of CECRA, they are disappointed the program wasn’t made more flexible.

While CECRA has been a lifeline for many main street businesses continuing to experience weaker demand than usual, many more businesses haven’t benefited because of program restrictions or disagreements with landlords.

The government has an opportunity to make a real difference for Canada’s businesses that continue to suffer from continued restrictions amid COVID-19. Rent is one of the most significant fixed costs a main street business has, and it should be a focus for the federal government going forward.”

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Because Business Matters

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce helps build the businesses that support our families, our communities and our country. We do this by influencing government policy, by providing essential business services and by connecting businesses to information they can use, to opportunities for growth and to a network of local chambers, businesses, decision-makers and peers from across the country, in every sector of the economy and at all levels of government, as well as internationally. We are unapologetic in our support for business and the vital role it plays in building and sustaining our great nation.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Phil Taylor
ptaylor@chamber.ca