The Canada emergency commercial rent assistance isn't working. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, or CFIB, is calling for a major overhaul of the program for small businesses. For example, the 70% drop in revenue criterion is excessive and will leave many SMEs on the sidelines.
The program excludes SMEs whose owners don't have mortgages. Chain stores are also excluded. When an SME is eligible for the program, it must depend on the co-operation of the building owner, which isn't automatic.
According to the Conseil québécois du commerce de détail, 40% of eligible business owners don't want to participate in the program.
Has the government assessed the program's effectiveness? How does it plan to make the program truly accessible?