Small businesses sceptical of rent relief plan

OTTAWA — The federal government’s rent relief program for commercial landlords opened up for applications this week, while a free hotline will offer tailored financial advice to small businesses during the pandemic. The Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program (CERCA) aims to cut small business owners’ rent by 75 percent for April, May and June. Applications are being accepted on a staggered basis depending on the location of the landlord and the number of tenants. Owners in B.C., Alberta, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces with 10 tenants or fewer are first up this week. Nevertheless, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has expressed concerns that the measures don’t do enough, with a survey finding most members don’t think they will qualify.