Mr. Speaker, this has been essential for six months now.
Roughly 12,000 SMEs currently in red zones have been forced to shut down to combat COVID-19. Meanwhile, fixed costs continue to pile up, including rent, first and foremost.
The commercial rent assistance program is a disaster. Landlords refuse to apply, and tenants do not qualify because the criteria are so restrictive. Right now, the program is useless. When will the government finally adjust it?