The latest developments on COVID-19 in Canada

Tam says working while sick can no longer be allowed.

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11:45 a.m.

Nova Scotia is reporting another death related to COVID-19, bringing the province’s total to 38.

The death occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax, which has accounted for 32 of the COVID-19 deaths in the province.

Nova Scotia is confirming 985 cases of the viral infection, with 14 new cases reported today.

Six individuals are in hospital, two of those in intensive care and 638 individuals have recovered.

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11:40 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is being transparent about the billions of dollars being spent to get Canada and Canadians through the COVID-19 crisis.

But he says the government has not yet been able to figure out how to bring in a federal budget because there is so much uncertainty in the weeks and months to come.

He says a budget is usually a forecast of what is to come but without more certainty, a budget or fiscal update is still a work in progress.

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11:32 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that when this is over he will order an audit of the government’s response.

Trudeau says the government will try to set up a plan to be better prepared for the next global pandemic, if one should take place.

He says for now the government remains focused on getting through this time.

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10:37

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says the Liberal government must demonstrate a plan to backstop efforts by provinces to slowly reopen their economies.

Scheer says the provinces do and should have control over making those decisions.

But he says the role of the federal government is to support them by ensuring adequate supplies of COVID-19 testing kits and personal protective equipment.

Scheer says he also has concerns that current federal benefit programs don’t allow enough flexibility for people to return to some work but not lose their income support from Ottawa.

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10:35 a.m.

Ontario is reporting 370 new cases of COVID-19 today, and 84 more deaths.

That brings the provincial total to nearly 18,000 cases, including 1,300 deaths and more than 12,500 resolved cases.

The new provincial total is 2.1 per cent higher than the previous day, which is part of a downward trend.

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9:30 a.m.

Canada has pledged $850 million to bolster international efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine and treatment, as well as aid for developing countries.

The European Union organized the pledge conference in an effort to fill the World Health Organization’s funding gaps.

The goal is to raise $11.5 billion for vaccine and treatment options for COVID-19 and make them available and affordable worldwide.

The EU says this is just the first wave of funding that will be needed.

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8:30 a.m.

British Columbia’s egg producers are joining the effort to keep Canadians fed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BC Egg, the organization representing all registered egg farmers in the province, says it will donate 25,000 dozen eggs to Food Banks BC every week.

The organization says all egg farmers in B.C. will share the cost of the donation.

Food Banks BC executive director Laura Lansink says protein is one of the most sought-after food bank items and more than 100,000 individuals, families and children who depend on food assistance every month will appreciate the donation.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

The latest developments on COVID-19 in Canada

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