The Ontario government is out to a stop to commercial evictions.
The Ford government is proposing legislative changes to the Commercial Tenancies Act to delay the evictions of businesses deemed eligible for federal or provincial rent assistance.
If passed, the proposed legislation would make it illegal to evict a commercial tenant until Aug. 31.
The changes to the act would protect commercial tenants from being locked out or having their assets seized by their landlords due to the impacts of COVID-19. The proposed legislation would reverse evictions that occurred on or after June 3.
Want to read more stories about business in the North? Subscribe to our newsletter.
"We need everyone working together to overcome COVID-19," said Municipal Affairs and Housing Minster Steve Clark in a news release.
"Commercial tenants who can pay their rent, must do so. Landlords should work with their tenants to come to an agreement and use this joint program. Ontario's small businesses are the backbone of our economy and we need them to flourish."
Ottawa and Queen's Park jointly committed $241 million to the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses which is providing more than $900 million in support.
CECRA for small businesses provides forgivable loans to eligible commercial landlords to help cover 50 per cent of commercial rent for tenants for the months of April, May and June 2020.
The tenant will be responsible for covering up to 25 per cent of rent, so that up to 75 per cent of the rent is covered.
