WestJet Airlines Ltd. says it will lay off 1,700 pilots as the company continues to struggle with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.The Air Line Pilots Union says 700 employees received layoff notices effective May 1, with 1,000 more kicking in on June 1, depending on seniority.The layoffs come amid an ongoing collapse of global travel triggered by border shutdowns and tanking demand, with WestJet and Air Canada slashing the vast majority of their flights through April and May.WestJet calls the impact ``colossal'' and says the layoffs are a ``last resort'' that make up part of broader cost re

British Columbia is reporting three more deaths and 44 new cases of COVID-19 today. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says one of those deaths represents the first in the Interior Health region, a man in his 60s who had been recovering at home. The province's death toll is now up to 75 and the total number of cases is 1,561. Henry says 131 people are in hospital, including 59 in critical or intensive care, while 955 people in B.C. have recovered from the disease. She says three additional cases have been identified amid an ongoing outbreak at a West Kelowna nursery, where 26 people h

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is expanding to Canadian Emergency Response Benefit to people who earn some income, seasonal workers and those who have run out of EI.He says people who earn up to $1,000 per month will soon be able to access the benefit.The prime minister says the government also plans to top up the pay of essential workers less than $2,500 per month.He says that includes many people who work in long-term care homes.

Canada Border Services Agency is temporarily scaling back opening hours at several of what it describes as ``low traffic'' crossings along the border with the United States.In all, 27 ports are affected; three in British Columbia, two in Alberta, eight in Saskatchewan, six in Manitoba and eight in Quebec.The western crossings and two in Quebec will open later and close earlier while six other Quebec ports usually open around the clock will operate between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.Revised hours take effect at midnight and Canada Border Services says the changes which are related to COVID-19 measures w

British Columbia has had three more deaths from COVID-19, all of them in long-term care homes, bringing the total number of fatalities in the province to 72. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, says 27 new cases of the disease have been confirmed. That brings the total number of cases of COVID-19 in B.C. to 1,517. She says 942 people have recovered from the illness.

Starting at midnight, the federal government says all people returning to Canada will have to check in to a hotel or other designated site unless they have an acceptable self-quarantine plan.The government says returnees whether they have COVID-19 symptoms or not must have an appropriate isolation plan that includes access to food and medicine.They will also be forbidden to live with vulnerable people, such as anyone older than 65 or with pre-existing health conditions.If a returnee lacks a credible plan, they will need to quarantine in a location, such as a hotel, designated by Canada's chie

India's prime minister announces extension to the country's lockdown for 1.3 billion people until May 3, but says there may be some easing in restrictions in people's movement after one week to help the poor daily wage earners and those working in agriculture sector.In an address to the nation on radio and television on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the lockdown will be eased only in areas which do not show any deterioration in the spread of coronavirus.He said India has paid a big economic price by imposing the lockdown, but it was much better placed than many other countries as

British Columbia is reporting 11 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the province's total to 69. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C.'s total number of cases has increased to 1,490, up 45 from Saturday. Henry says 137 people are in hospital, with 58 of those in intensive care. She says there remains 20 long-term care facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks. Henry says a COVID-19 outbreak at the federal Mission Institution is causing concerns, with 35 positive cases and eight people now in hospital. Henry says all efforts are underway to contain the outbreak at the prison.

The federal government is providing $50 million to help farmers and food processors cover the costs associated with mandatory quarantine rules for workers coming in from outside the country.Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says the labour shortage on farms is acute and depends on foreign temporary workers.But rules designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 mean this year's incoming workers must quarantine for 14 days.Bibeau says employers are committed to making sure workers follow those rules but they do come at a cost.She says the money is designed to help offset those and w