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OTTAWA — The federal government will provide direct help to businesses hit by the COVID-19 pandemic to help them offset the cost of rent, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday.
He said a revamped commercial rent-relief program will cover up to 65 per cent of eligible expenses for companies, and up to 90 per cent for those subject to localized lockdowns.
The government will also cover up to 65 per cent of eligible wages through its subsidy program, but only until the end of December, and expand a well-used loan program by providing an added $10,000 that could be forgivable.
Trudeau said that even though many businesses have reopened, a number of them are not at full capacity while others are worried about surviving a second wave.
He said the government wants to help those companies hang on, and keep their workers employed.