The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) provides rent and mortgage support to small businesses affected by COVID-19. The subsidy is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provides support directly to tenants.
Most recent update:
As of CERS Period 11 (July 4 to July 31, 2021), applicants will need a revenue drop greater than 10% in order to qualify for the subsidy.
July 30, 2021: CERS has been extended until October 23, 2021 (CERS period 14).
From August 29-September 25 (CERS period 13) the maximum subsidy rate has been increased to 40%.
From September 26-October 23 (CERS period 14) the maximum subsidy rate is 20%.
See our timeline for all updates on rent relief.
| Program overview | FAQ |
| Other resources | Our advocacy |
CERS Program Overview
How the program is administered: CERS is administered by the CRA on a period-by-period basis. Each CERS Claim Period is four weeks, and businesses can generally submit a claim the day after the period has ended. Here is a current schedule of CERS Claim Periods:
| CERS Claim Periods | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | Period 2 | Period 3 | Period 4 | Period 5 | Period 6 | Period 7 | Period 8 | Period 9 | Period 10 | Period 11 | Period 12 | Period 13 | Period 14 |
| Sep 27 to Oct 24, 2020 | Oct 25 to Nov 21, 2020 | Nov 22 to Dec 19, 2020 | Dec 20 to Jan 17, 2021 | Jan 18 to Feb 13, 2021 | Feb 14 to Mar 13, 2021 | Mar 14 to Apr 10, 2021 | Apr 11 to May 8, 2021 | May 9 to Jun 5, 2021 | Jun 6 to Jul 3, 2021 | Jul 4 to Jul31, 2021 | Aug 1 to Aug 28, 2021 | Aug 29 to Sept 25, 2021 | Sept 26 to Oct 23, 2021 |
Amount businesses can receive: The subsidy is available on a sliding scale (with a maximum amount of 65%) for businesses that can demonstrate a revenue loss from September 27, 2020, to July 3, 2021. An additional top-up of 25% (maximum possible subsidy of 90%) is available for businesses that temporarily shut down due to a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority. The maximum subsidy amount will begin to decline starting July 4, 2021, with the program due to end September 25, 2021.
Program duration: September 27, 2020, to October 23, 2021
How to apply: After using the CERS calculator, you must apply through one of the following CRA portals:
When to apply: Businesses need to apply for the rent subsidy after the month has passed. This means, for example, that applications for November support will not be available until December.
Application deadline: 180 days after the end of each claim period. Should CRA have delayed your application you may receive a 30-day extension to the 180 days.
Eligibility criteria: See the FAQ below for details.
How to calculate: See the FAQ below for details.
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Other CERS resources
- CFIB letter to Minister Chrystia Freeland - Extending federal support programs for small businesses at current subsidy rate level
- CFIB Letter to Minister Freeland – CERS Gaps (December 2020)
- CFIB Letter to Minister Freeland – Additional CERS Gaps (February 2021)
- CRA – CERS calculator
- CRA CERS Who can apply
- CRA Contact us about CERS
- CERS program announcement
- Rent relief timeline
- Previous CECRA FAQ
Want more information on the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy? Watch our webinar, with CRA experts fielding questions about the program.
How is CFIB advocating for small businesses on rent?
What we have achieved:
What we're pushing for:
- Pay 50% of rents retroactively for those who qualified for CECRA from April to September 2020 but did not get the support due to the landlord’s lack of participation.
- Allow new businesses (who opened in 2020 or 2021) to access CERS, along with other COVID relief programs.
- Make rent paid between non-arm's-length entities eligible for CERS.
- Remove the requirement that rent be paid in full within 60 days of a business receiving CERS funds.
- Sign our petition to fix the gaps in COVID relief.
Read more about our recommendations to address the gaps in CERS in our letters to government sent December 2020 and February 2021.
What you can do to help:
- We’ve pushed the government to make some progress, but we're still fighting for better relief measures. Add your voice today.
CFIB members get one-on-one advice from our business counsellors, exclusive access to helpful webinars, weekly email updates, and a voice in the support measures we push for from the government.
CFIB members: Get in touch today.
Not a CFIB member? We want to support you during this crisis. With a FREE temporary CFIB membership, you can access the same benefits and supports as a CFIB member.
Our primary concern at CFIB is making sure you have the support you need to get through this uncertain and challenging time. We provide you with expert advice and ensure that you have all of the latest information on government announcements and available support.