Petition urging feds to suspend rent and mortgage payment nears 300,000 signature goal

An online petition calling for the federal government to cancel rent and mortgage payments in light of the COVID-19 pandemic is unsurprising hugely popular.

The petition on Change.org was started three days ago and today, March 17, has gathered almost 300,000 signatures, the petitioner's goal.

The petition reads:

"Covid-19 is having a devastating affect on small businesses, gig workers and non-salaried employees. Cancelling rent and mortgage payments for the duration of the Covid-19 virus pandemic would relieve financial pressure, allow citizens to stay home from work without the added concern of losing their housing and limit the spread of the virus. Our federal government should act in a similar fashion to Italy's and mandate the suspension of rent and mortgage payments during the Coronavirus pandemic."

Many Canadians are facing tough times as many businesses suspend operations or reduce hours in the face of the global pandemic.

A sweeping federal economic stimulus package to combat the shock of COVID-19 will be unveiled Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, and could soon be before an emergency sitting of Parliament to help get money to those who need it. He cited potential changes to the employment insurance program — the eligibility for which is set by Parliament — and other methods to get money into the pockets of Canadians.

The government spending is likely to be significant — approximately $20 billion by the estimates of many economists, or one per cent of the value of the national economy.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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