Alberta is declaring a state of public emergency in reaction to the novel coronavirus. Premier Jason Kenney has announced that any gathering larger than 50 people, including weddings and funerals must be cancelled. Public recreation facilities, casinos, bingo halls, bars, museums and art galleries will also be shuttered if not already. Worship services and conferences also fall under the 50 person rule. Kenney says his government will spend $60 million on charities and non profit groups who are helping people cope with the effects of the virus.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Emergencies Act is a tool the federal government can use to enact measures it would otherwise not be able to enact. He says the Liberal government is looking at other ways to impose new measures without calling a state of emergency. Trudeau also says that with three million Canadians living or travelling abroad at any time, it would not be possible to expect that everyone would be able to come home immediately. Trudeau also says Canada is in a good fiscal position to be able to invest in Canadian individuals and businesses to make sure the country gets t

Health officials in Ontario are confirming the province's first death in a patient with COVID-19.A spokesman for the province's health minister says the 77 year old man in the Muskoka region was not a confirmed case, but the illness was discovered after his death.The exact cause of his death is still under investigation.It's the first Canadian fatality outside British Columbia linked to the novel coronavirus.

Canada's largest movie exhibitor Cineplex Inc. says it's closing all of its 165 theatres nationwide until at least April 2 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.The chain also plans to temporarily shutter entertainment complexes the Rec Room and Playdium effective tonight.Chief executive officer Ellis Jacob says Cineplex leadership has closely monitored the escalating spread of COVID-19 in Canada, and believes ``the time as come for us to do more.''Cineplex represents about 75 per cent of the Canadian film exhibitor market across the country. The company had been reluctant to close down its ope

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is declaring a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.The state of emergency prohibits organized public events of 50 or more people in Ontario until March 31.Effective immediately, all public libraries, private schools, licensed child daycares, theatres, cinemas and other public venues in the province must close.All bars and restaurants must close except to provide takeout food and delivery.Essential services such as grocery stores and pharmacies will continue to operate.

The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of March 16, 2020: Ontario: 177 confirmed, 5 resolved. British Columbia: 103 confirmed (including 4 deaths) 5 resolved Alberta: 74 confirmed. Quebec: 50 confirmed. Canadians quarantined at CFB Trenton: 8 confirmed. Manitoba: 7 confirmed, 1 presumptive. New Brunswick: 2 confirmed, 5 presumptive. Saskatchewan: 2 confirmed, 5 presumptive. Nova Scotia: 1 confirmed, 4 presumptive. Prince Edward Island: 1 confirmed. Newfoundland and Labrador: 1 presumptive. Total: 425 confirmed (including 4 deaths,) 16 presumptive, 10 resol

Canada is now denying entry to nearly everyone who isn't a Canadian citizen or permanent resident but Americans are exempt from that ban.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the level of integration between Canada and the United States is behind that decision. But he says there's more work to be done in the coming days to ensure Canadians are being kept safe and that the necessary goods keep flowing. Trudeau says Canada and the U.S. are co-ordinating closely.

Restaurant Brands International Inc. says it is asking Canadian Tim Hortons restaurant owners to provide take-out, drive-thru and delivery only in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.The company says it is closing all dining room seating effective Tuesday.The closures will continue until future notice.The change comes as governments across the country urge Canadians to engage in social distancing to slow the spread of the virus.Restaurant Brands says if there are further instructions from public health officials it will take further steps. Starbucks made a similar announcement over the

The Canada Border Services Agency says it is adding new screening questions for travellers arriving in Canada, asking whether they have symptoms of COVID-19.The agency took heat all weekend for apparent disarray at entry points, especially airports. While the federal government wants people returning to Canada from abroad to stay in isolation for 14 days, some travellers reported customs officials weren't routinely providing the direction to new arrivals.The union representing Canada's border officers, which is set to meet with the agency later today, also raised concerns last week about a lac