A much anticipated new phase in the COVID-19 pandemic starts today with several provinces beginning the process of slowly loosening some of their lockdown restrictions.Quebec, which accounts for more than half of Canada's coronavirus cases, including deaths from the illness, is reopening retail stores outside Montreal while those in the greater Montreal area are to reopen on May 11.Ontario, the other epicentre for the virus, is allowing a small list of mostly seasonal businesses to reopen, including garden centres with curbside pick-ups, lawn care and landscaping companies, and automatic car w

The RCMP say the bodies of two children have been recovered after an accident in a rural part of Chilliwack, B.C.Sgt. Krista Vrolyk said police were called Sunday afternoon after a side-by-side vehicle went off Foley Creek Forest Service Road, east of downtown.She said five people, all believed to be related, were in the vehicle when it became submerged in water about 4.5 metres deep.Two adults and a child escaped from the vehicle, but two youths went missing, and a dive team was sent in to search for them.In a statement issued late Sunday night, Sgt. Vrolyk said ``It is with deep sorrow, tha

The federal government is investing millions to boost online access to health services and to support a Vancouver biological company's research into treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the new funding during his daily news conference in Ottawa this morning as provinces across the country prepare to start re-opening on Monday. The government is spending $240 million to boost access to online health services, including mental-health support and virtual access to doctors for primary care. Ottawa is also providing $175 million to AbCellera Biologics Inc.,

There are 55,061 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. Quebec: 28,648 confirmed (including 2,022 deaths, 6,700 resolved) Ontario: 16,608 confirmed (including 1,121 deaths, 10,825 resolved) Alberta: 5,573 confirmed (including 92 deaths, 2,359 resolved) British Columbia: 2,145 confirmed (including 112 deaths, 1,357 resolved) Nova Scotia: 959 confirmed (including 29 deaths, 592 resolved) Saskatchewan: 415 confirmed (including 6 deaths, 297 resolved) Manitoba: 268 confirmed (including 6 deaths, 235 resolved), 11 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 259 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 230 re

British Columbia is reporting another 33 cases of COVID-19 and one more death. The province has 2,145 cases of COVID-19 and 112 deaths since the pandemic began. The death occurred in the region covered by the Fraser Health authority, which has also seen the highest number of cases. The province says 1,357 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.

The Canadian Forces says remains recovered in the search for five missing service members off the coast of Greece can't yet be identified. The search for survivors after a maritime helicopter crashed in the Mediterranean Sea formally ended today. The commander of the navy's maritime command, Rear Admiral Craig Baines, told reporters in Halifax today, ``This decision was not taken lightly.'' Six military personnel were aboard the helicopter when it went down Wednesday as it was returning to the Halifax-based frigate, HMCS Fredericton.

Vancouver police say 20 hate-motivated incidents have been aimed at members of Vancouver's Asian community since the start of the year, and 11 occurred in April, alone. Constable Tania Visintin says one involving a man scrawling hateful graffiti on windows of the Chinese Cultural Centre is especially disturbing. She says the April 2nd attack was brazen because it occurred in the middle of the day and the man was clearly visible in surveillance cameras. Police say they have set up a safety trailer and camera in the area in an effort to halt any further incidents.

BC's 45,000 public school teachers have overwhelmingly accepted a new, three-year contract with the provincial government. It includes a six per cent pay increase over the life of the deal, as well as wording setting out a mediation process to smooth future negotiations. The BC Teachers Federation says its members voted 98 per cent in favour. The agreement was reached after more than a year of sometimes tense bargaining between the federation and the BC Public School Employers Association, representing the province.

Justice Minister David Lametti say no one should try to surrender their assault-style guns while physical distancing is in effect to fight COVID-19. Lametti spoke after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government is banning a range of assault-style guns, with an order that takes effect immediately. Trudeau also announced a two-year amnesty period for current owners of those guns and said there will be a compensation program that will require a bill passed in Parliament.