COVID-19 pandemic.The opposition Conservatives have questioned why the CMHC, rather than the Canada Revenue Agency, was asked to run the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program, given the revenue agency manages several other pandemic-related support programs.
Feds extend coronavirus rent relief program for businesses Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s spokeswoman Maeva Proteau says the CMHC was considered the best fit because it deals with mortgages and understands Canada’s real estate market.She says going with the Crown corporation was seen to be fastest because it could make payments to businesses without requiring new legislation, which would have further delayed the rent program.The CMHC later contracted mortgage firm MCAP.