British Columbia is reporting 43 new COVID-19 cases, but no new deaths. A joint statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C. now has a total of 1,618 COVID-19 cases. The statement says 119 people are in hospital with 52 of those people in intensive care. It says 966 people have recovered from COVID-19. Earlier Friday, Henry and Dix released modelling data showing B.C. is flattening the COVID-19 curve to the point where plans are underway to loosen some provincial restrictions.

The Saskatchewan government says the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a $3.3 billion decline in provincial revenue. Officials have released projections based on different scenarios where revenue declines range from $1.3 billion to $3.3 billion. Finance Minister Donna Harpauer says it's still unclear how long restrictions on public interaction will be in place. Meanwhile, officials announced one new and one presumptive case of the virus bringing the total in Saskatchewan to 307. It says 228 people have recovered and four have died.

The latest health models examining British Columbia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic show the province has managed to ``flatten the curve,'' slowing the spread of the virus. Officials say B.C.'s rate of cases of the new coronavirus is below expected levels, and well below those recorded in Italy or in China's Hubei province, where the virus was first reported. Henry says the data shows early implementation of measures such as social distancing allowed B.C. to cut the number of cases of the illness. She says B.C. is experiencing a slowing of the rate of infections but warns the ``new normal

Transport Canada says that starting Monday, people flying to or from Canadian airports will have to have masks to contain their germs. Minister Marc Garneau says that starting at noon on April 20, passengers won't be allowed to board planes unless they have non-medical face coverings, to try to slow the spread of COVID-19. They'll only have to wear the masks when they have to be close to others, such as at screening points or if the planes are crowded. Masks are being encouraged for passengers on boats, ferries, trains and buses but aren't being made mandatory.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will provide $500 million in support to the arts, culture and sports sectors through Heritage Canada. The move comes as part of broader efforts to support creative industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Trudeau says those industries ``continue to make us dream, particularly in dark times.'' More details on the financial support are expected to be outlined today by Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault.

The BC Wildfire Service says an aggressive blaze near Squamish, B.C., is being held at one-square kilometre in size but residents pushed out by the flames say several homes have been lost. Toni Kerekes runs a riding school in the area and says she saw one home burning and what remains of at least two others as she left the area late Wednesday. She says the situation is calmer today with the fire mostly burning on a ridge between the Squamish and Paradise valleys. Evacuation orders and alerts issued by the Squamish Lillooet Regional District remain in place. The District of Squamish is also ma

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is sending military assistance to Quebec. He says 125 members of the Canadian Armed Forces with medical expertise will travel to the province. It is to support the province's long-term care facilities.

Ontario is reporting 564 new COVID-19 cases today, with 55 new deaths. It's the largest single-day increase of cases, though the growth rate is still holding steady at around six per cent. Ontario has now seen 9,525 cases, with nearly half now resolved, and including 478 deaths. The number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 grew from 807 to 829, but the numbers of people in intensive care and on ventilators remained steady.

Quebec is reporting a total of 16,798 cases and 58 more COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the provincial toll to 688. Premier Francois Legault says while 1,076 people are hospitalized, with 207 of those in intensive care, the COVID-19 situation in Quebec is largely stable outside the Montreal area. Legault said he's been considering what he could have done since becoming premier to have avoided the situation in the province's hard-hit long-term care homes that are dealing with a severe lack of staffing. He says if he could do it again, he would have raised the salaries of orderlies more quick