The Ontario government is looking to ban commercial evictions on a temporary basis. The move will protect commercial tenants from being locked out or having assets seized due to negative impacts of COVID-19.
“Commercial tenant who can pay their rent, must do so,” Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark said. Proposed legislation would make it a crime to evict a commercial tenant until August 31.
“Ensuring the immediate future of our small businesses is critical to helping our economy recover and rebound,” said Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Prabmeet Sarkaria said. The federal government partnered with the provinces and territories on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program providing eligible landlords with interest-free loans to cover 75% of the rent.
“We’ve been clear we would help support small businesses and today’s action does just that,” Finance Minister Rod Phillips said. More information on rent assistance is available here.
