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Ottawa’s plan to provide commercial rent relief will help prevent struggling businesses from having to close permanently due to lost revenues from the COVID-19 pandemic, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Friday.

But some business owners questioned why the federal government didn’t make help available sooner, especially as they have been forced to make tough decisions due to the economic downturn.

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On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government had reached agreements with all provinces and territories to lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses hit hard financially during the pandemic.

The relief will apply for April, May and June. Trudeau said the government would cover 50 per cent of the rent reduction, with property owners covering the rest.

Businesses that pay less than $50,000 per month in rent, have lost 70 per cent of revenues and have been asked to close or nearly close operations due to COVID-19 are eligible.