Carole James, Photo Courtesy, Province of British Columbia, Flickr

By Veronica Beltran

protecting businesses

Businesses eligible for rent support protected from evictions

Jun 1, 2020 | 12:54 PM

VICTORIA—The Province is issuing a new order under the Emergency Program Act, that would protect businesses in B.C., eligible for rent support, from evictions.

“The federal launch of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program has been a welcome step in B.C., but we heard from small businesses that they need us to help fill a gap that has left some of them unable to get the support they need.”—Carole James, Minister of Finance

Businesses eligible for rent assistance whose landlords choose not to apply for the federal CECRA program will be protected from evictions due to unpaid rent payments through to the end of June.

The Emergency Program Act order restricts the termination of lease agreements and the repossession of goods and property.

The CECRA program provides relief for small businesses experiencing severe financial hardship due to COVID-19. It offers forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners to reduce the rent owed by their impacted small business tenants and to meet operating expenses on commercial properties.

Cougars

Cougars eliminate Chiefs in Game 6

16h ago

Spring Snow

Special weather statement issued for Pine Pass, Peace region with 'moderate to heavy snow' expected

Apr 05, 2026

Taber, Alta., named Hockeyville winner over Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

Apr 05, 2026

Property owners must offer a minimum of a 75% rent reduction for the months of April, May and June 2020. The CECRA loans to landlords will be forgiven if the landlord complies with program terms and conditions, including an agreement to not recover forgiven rent amounts when the program is over.