The Government of Canada is proposing to extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until October 23, 2021, and increase the wage and rent subsidy rates between August 29 and September 25, 2021.

The government is also proposing technical changes and clarifications to increase flexibility and certainty for organizations using these programs and the Canada Recovery Hiring Program introduced in Budget 2021.

Eligible employers would still also be able to apply for the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program instead of the wage subsidy if they so choose. The hiring program provides alternative support for businesses affected by the pandemic and helps them hire workers, and increase workers’ hours or wages, as the economy reopens. The hiring program is available from June 6, 2021 until November 20, 2021, allowing employers to shift from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to this new support, at a pace that works for them.