People across the country are calling on their governments – provincial and federal – to put a freeze on rent payments. Government support for renters so far has been minimal at best.

The emergency funds announced by the federal government were promising, but they won’t make it in time for April 1st. With rent day right around the corner, here is what some Canadians had to say:

I appreciate @JustinTrudeau speaking to the nation everyday – I am srsly impressed, but he just dodged a q about renters paying rent in the pandemic. The Emergency Benefits are not enough to cover market rent. Sad to hear him dodge the q. Rent is due in a week. #RentFreezeNow — OnlyOnePreeti (@OnlyOnePreeti) March 23, 2020

Rent is due in a week, but how is everyone supposed to pay it when half of them have lost their jobs? This wasn’t our fault! We need a #RentFreezeNow , people!#landlordsareleaches https://t.co/HQtekTy2lu — Ali Arian II #RentFreezeNow (@AlitheCallistan) March 23, 2020

Rent is due in roughly a week for millions of Canadians. Many have warned that, without a rent freeze, this could be a disastrous time for a whole lot of households.

The wheels of the bus are all going to fall off April 1st if the government doesn’t do something quick. #RentFreezeNow — dooppy Ⓥ (@Dooppy) March 23, 2020

Asked specifically about renters, Trudeau doesn’t have much of an answer. The provinces and the federal government *must* address the plight of those who will struggle to pay their rent in just a few short days. #RentFreezeNow #RENTSTRIKE — Heidi Matthews (@Heidi__Matthews) March 23, 2020

Some have taken the calls even further – urging the government to act to stop all evictions and foreclosures as well as rent, mortgage, and debt payments.

This is exactly right. We need everybody to raise their voices now. Rent day is 8 days way. #bcpoli #RentFreezeNow https://t.co/RtKQJM6uOJ — Derrick O’Keefe (@derrickokeefe) March 23, 2020

Rent is due April 1 for tens of thousands of British Columbians who have lost or reduced incomes



A $1k subsidy will not cover their rent in just 8 days



We need a moratorium on rent and evictions now#bcpoli #covid19bc #vanre — Paul Finch (@paulgfinch) March 23, 2020

So far, some provincial governments have put a temporary halt on evictions. There was also the announcement of mortgage payment deferrals last week, but new emerging details show the deferrals aren’t such a great deal.

It’s clear Canadians – especially renters – feel blindsided by the lack of support when it comes to housing. The good news is our governments have not ruled out the possibility of future support.

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