Emergency payouts top $22.4B

Feds unveil rent relief for businesses forced to shut down during pandemic

TORONTO—Dozens more deaths in long-term care homes were reported Friday as new figures indicated the extent of the economic dislocation caused by isolation measures aimed at mitigating the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus.

The latest government figures showed more than seven million people had applied for the $2,000-a-month Canada Emergency Response Benefit, with the federal government having paid out $22.4 billion — close to the amount budgeted.

The emergency program is but one of several the Liberals have unveiled in recent weeks to cushion the financial fallout from fighting the spread of the coronavirus, which has been particularly deadly for frail seniors in nursing homes.

The disease has killed almost 2,200 people across Canada, more than half those in care. Quebec reported 97 more deaths — with a total of 1,340 — with Premier François Legault pointing to the dire situation in long-term care homes and the more stable situation in the rest of the province.

Ontario reported 57 more deaths at long-term care facilities as it said its overall COVID caseload had grown by five per cent even with a single-day record jump of 640. In all, more than 13,500 cases have been reported in the province, with at least 763 of them fatal.

Calling the situation “unacceptable,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised a top-up of wages paid to front-line workers in seniors facilities, but said it would be done in consultation with the provinces.

Both Quebec and Ontario have asked the military to help care for residents in nursing homes and Trudeau said the requests had been approved.

Trudeau said it will be important to take a look at the longterm care situation once the immediate crisis has passed.

At his daily news conference, Trudeau also announced rent relief for businesses that were forced to close because of antipandemic measures in midMarch and can’t afford to pay their landlords.

Rent for April, May and June will be cut by 75 per cent for those paying under $50,000 a month, Trudeau said. Federal and provincial governments will cover 50 per cent, with landlords picking up the remaining 25 per cent. Non-profits and smaller organizations are also eligible for the help, the prime minister said. Small and medium-sized businesses, most of them shuttered due to the pandemic, have been clamouring for relief. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has said more than half its 30,000 members reported being unable to come up with their May rent.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the federal-provincial program will see the province spend $241 million to help lower rents for qualifying small businesses, who are the “backbone of our economy,” but he hopes the aid won’t end there.

“I know it’s not just businesses paying rent, it’s many residential renters as well and with May the 1st around the corner, many tenants are feeling anxious about their rent right now,” Ford said.

Calling it one of the worst health and financial crises of our lifetimes, Trudeau said discussions will be ongoing in the coming weeks about getting the economy moving again — as long as it’s safe to do so.