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 maximum rate for the wage and rent subsidies would be set at 40 percent in Period 20 (August 29 to September 25) instead of being reduced to 20 percent.
• These programs would also be extended by one additional period, with a maximum rate of 20 percent in Period 21 (September 26 to October 23).
• The Lockdown Support would also be extended until October 23, 2021, at its set rate of 25 percent.

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 until November 20, 2021.

More information can be found in the Government of Canada backgrounder found here.