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Official Federal Government Updates

- Federal Government's Economic Response Plan. Learn more
- Income-related Support
  - $2000 Canadian Emergency Response Benefits (CERB). A 4-month taxable benefit. *Extended for an extra 4 weeks. Learn more
  - Application Form for Canadian Emergency Response Benefit. Learn more about the Application. Application download here
- Plain language summaries of government initiatives
  - What you need to know about CERB and how to apply. Read here
  - Plain-Language Guide for Getting Government Aid prepared by Carleton University’s Professor Jennifer Robson. Read here
  - Federal Supports: Quick Fact sheet by Together Against Poverty (TAPS). Read here
  - Eviction Notice Update by TAPS. Read here

Official Provincial Government Updates

- BC’s Response to COVID-19. We are in phase 3. Learn more.
- Provincial Government’s Facebook page. Easy to use information. Read here
- Overviews
  - Evictions now allowed in BC:
    - 10 Day notice for current late rent
    - One month notice for cause
    - Two month notice for landlord’s use of property
    - Four month notice for renovation or demolition
  - The BC Government has now implemented that police can now issue fines of up to $2000 for people who host large events that violate public health orders during this continued state of emergency. Read here
  - BC Tenant Rights by TAPS. Read here
  - BC Welfare Benefit Summary by TAPS. Learn more
  - What Help is Available? South Okanagan West-Kootenay. Read here

- Rent-specific
  - Rent Repayment Plan Information. Repayment plan cannot be issued to tenants until AFTER August 17, 2020. Learn more.If we could link to our Facebook message shown here:
    BC Update: After the eviction ban is lifted, landlords still cannot end a tenancy for unpaid rent or utilities without giving the tenant a repayment plan for the unpaid amount in the period of March 18th to August 17th, 2020. This repayment framework was put in place by the Province to give tenants a reasonable time-frame to pay back any rent or utilities they owe. As long as the tenant makes the payments required by the repayment plan in full and on time, the tenant cannot be given a notice to end tenancy for unpaid rent or utilities for that amount.
    
    Keep in mind that:
    - A landlord is required to give their tenants a repayment plan for unpaid rent or utilities due during the specified period of March 18, 2020 to August 17, 2020
    - If the landlord and the tenant entered into a prior agreement for unpaid rent or utilities it can be replaced with a new agreement, by either the landlord or tenant
    ** A repayment plan should not be issued until August 18, 2020 (after the specified period ends on August 17, 2020). **
    
    For more details and for specifics around the repayment plan requirements: https://buff.ly/34dNl5w
    
    To download the BC government repayment plan template: https://buff.ly/318gI7f
  - Temporary Rent Supplement for $500/month for 3 months paid directly to landlords. Learn more
    - Application Form. Apply here
  - BC Rent Banks. Learn more
  - BC has temporarily suspended evictions of tenants and halted rent increases. Learn more
  - BC Hydro will defer bill payments or make flexible payment plans. Learn more, or call 1 800 BCHYDRO (1 800 224 9376)
  - BC Hydro’s Customer Crisis Grant for customers who have lost jobs, wages or illness due to COVID-19. Grants up to $600. Learn more
    - BC Hydro’s Crisis Grant. Application

- Income-related
  - BC Emergency Benefit for Workers. Tax-Free one-time $1000 payment to workers affected by COVID-19. Eligibility criteria now posted. Learn more or apply here by December, 2, 2020.
  - Income & Disability Assistance. $300/month. If you are already receiving this assistance you will automatically receive this benefit on your April through August cheque.
  - BC Seniors Supplement. $300/month automatic boost for low-income seniors. If you are receiving this assistance and not able to get the CERB benefit, you will automatically receive this benefit on your April, May and June cheque. Learn more
  - BC Climate Action Tax Credit. Non-taxable. Payment is automatic if you qualify and is in July 2020. Learn more
  - BC transit and Translike started to collect fees June 1, 2020. Masks are mandatory as of August 24, 2020. Learn more.

Support

- Victoria services for people who are homeless or in fear of being homeless. Shelters, food and meals, health care. Learn more
- BC First Nations Community Guide for Additional Support. Applications included on page. Learn more
- COVID-19 BC Rent Crisis Resources from Vancouver Tenants Union. Learn more
- COVID-19 Community Resources (Victoria). Learn more
- Managing COVID-19 Stress, Anxiety and Depression. Learn More
- Quarantine Conflict Resolution Service. Learn More.
  Services is currently being provided includes:
  - Co-parenting and Schooling
  - Roommates
  - Landlord/Tenant
  - Housing
  - Parents and Teens
  - Elders
  - Return-to-Work
  - Small Business
- Free mental health support available to all BC residents. Learn More.
- Credit Counseling Society. Learn more

Official Provincial Government Updates

- General government information. Learn more
- Rent-specific
  - Rents on residential properties or mobile home sites may now take effect, provided proper notice has been given to the tenant.
  - Late fees that are a reasonable estimate of the landlord’s losses can now be applied to late rental payments, if set-out in the rental agreement. Late fees were not permitted from April through June and cannot be applied retroactively for that period.
  - Landlords and tenants are encouraged to continue to work together to develop payment plans while COVID-19 is being managed. However, a landlord is no longer required to demonstrate a payment plan in order to file an application to terminate a tenancy, nor to recover possession due to non-payment of rent.
  - If the landlord and tenant have already agreed to a payment plan, that plan remains in place for the agreed upon time period.
  - Landlords can still file applications and receive orders for possession if the reason for the eviction is unrelated to rent and/or utility payments, or if a tenant refused to negotiate or comply with a payment plan.
  - Landlord’s may enter the rental premises provided proper notice has been served. Landlords and tenants should still adhere to the public health orders in regards to social distancing, isolation, etc. Information on Covid-19 orders and legislation can be found here.
- Income-related

Official Provincial Government Updates

- Rent-specific
  - Eviction hearings postponed and rent increases frozen. Learn more
  - Residential Tenancies Branch: Information for tenants. Learn more
  - Residential Tenancies Branch: Q&A for landlords. Learn more
  - Guidance for Employees and Residents of Residential Complexes. Learn more
  - Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act. Read here
  - Manitoba Hydro stopped all disconnections related to overdue accounts. If you are unable to make payments, contact them.
- Income-related
- Human Rights
  - The Manitoba Human Rights Commission: Discrimination based on COVID-19. Read here

Official Provincial Government Updates

- Rent-specific
  - Landlord and Tenant Board News Releases Learn more
  - Landlord’s are encouraged to negotiate a repayment agreement BEFORE seeking eviction. The Landlord and Tenant board must consider this when an application for eviction is made.
- Income-related
  - Ontario Works. Additional support offered for recipients of social assistance. Learn more
  - Ontario’s list of Essential Workplaces as of May 4. Learn more. (Please note that this list can be updated at any time.)

Information For All Provinces

British Columbia

Alberta

Manitoba

Ontario

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