The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) was a federal program during the COVID-19 pandemic that subsidized employee wages for businesses and organizations experiencing revenue declines. By covering a portion of payroll costs, CEWS helped employers maintain their workforce rather than laying off employees. While primarily a business support program, some municipalities and municipal agencies were eligible for CEWS when their revenues declined. The program was one of the largest emergency economic interventions in Canadian history. CEWS ended in 2021 but demonstrated how federal fiscal capacity could provide rapid economic stabilization during crises affecting communities nationwide.