Under the program, which ends Wednesday, landlords could apply for forgivable loans worth 50 per cent of what their tenants owed if they agreed to forgive at least another 25 per cent. The federal government is “committed to providing further support for small business with their fixed costs, very much including rent,” said Katherine Cuplinskas, spokesperson for Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. “We are working with provinces, territories, municipalities, and business to do that in the best way possible. We will have more to announce soon.” (CBC News)

Talking point: Ottawa made clear the extension of CECRA through September—announced a week after rent would typically be due for the month—would be the last. Business associations have recommended any replacement send the subsidy directly to tenants instead of requiring their landlords’ cooperation, a design flaw they say has limited uptake. Last week’s throne speech promised to expand the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan system to fixed costs, but lobby groups disagree on whether a bigger version of that program  is the right way to replace the rent program. Cuplinskas told The Logic 120,000 firms had been the beneficiaries of $1.68 billion in CECRA payouts as of Monday.