COVID-19: CECRA for small businesses has ended

The application process for CECRA for small businesses is closed

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses provided relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The program is now closed.

PwC is currently conducting reviews on behalf of CMHC to ensure compliance with program requirements.

The financial assistance provided is forgivable as of December 31, 2020 if your participation has been and remains in compliance with all program requirements. No notification of forgiveness will be provided.

Since 2021, we are reaching out to both small business tenants and property owners to ensure compliance with program requirements. Should non-compliance be found to have occurred, repayment of the financial assistance may be required. Notices of repayment will only be sent to participants in the event of non-compliance.

Frequently asked questions

Why did I receive an email from PwC regarding my CECRA Application?

CMHC has engaged PwC to review CECRA applications to determine their compliance with program requirements.

PwC has been reaching out by email and phone on behalf of CMHC to request additional information and documentation needed for their assessment. If you have received an email, it should have:

a list of the requested documentation
instructions on how to provide the documentation for review

Under what authority do you request this information to assess my CECRA application?

The terms of the documentation submitted with your CECRA application state that property owners and tenants may be required to provide updated and/or additional information (please see the “Property Owner Forgivable Loan Agreement ” and “Tenant Attestation”).

Do I have to participate in this assessment? What will happen if I don’t?

If you have received a request for documentation and don’t respond by the deadline, this may constitute an event of non-compliance resulting in an Event of Default. An Event of Default will require the repayment of the financial assistance provided through CECRA.

I want to bypass the assessment and repay the CECRA assistance. How can I do so?

You’ll be required to repay the financial assistance received through CECRA if you decide to withdraw your application. Please send us an email with the subject line “CECRA Compliance Review Withdrawal Request” if you wish to directly repay the financial assistance you received through the program.

Why have I been asked to provide my banking information, void cheque, identification, tax statement, etc.?

The assessment to determine compliance with program requirements may involve an analysis of the information provided with your CECRA application. This can include documentation outlining your banking and taxation information. This information will only be used for compliance analysis purposes.

Will the data I provide be secured?

The security of your information is a top priority for the compliance team. The team has implemented and maintains an up-to-date, security program to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of its technology systems and data. Storage is encrypted at rest and transit and is only accessible to authorized reviewers.

I need help providing the requested documentation. How can I request assistance?

Please send all questions to our mailbox. Questions will be answered in the order in which they are received.

Is there a phone number I can call to request further assistance?

No. To effectively manage applicant and tenant questions, please provide all questions or queries to our mailbox. During the compliance review process, a team member may contact you by phone or email to request clarification.