The British Columbia government is spending $5 billion to help support the province's economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier John Horgan says it is a stressful time for people and businesses, and help is needed now. Horgan says the province is spending $2.8 billion on people and services, and $2.2 billion on businesses and economic recovery in the future. Horgan says the plan includes direct payments to people as well as deferment of payments. He says there will be targeted tax relief and support for renters to make sure no one is evicted because of the novel coronavirus. The British Co

Vancouver council has approved a motion giving it the power to crack down on businesses ignoring closure orders or residents defying the requirement to maintain social distancing. This morning's vote, giving the city the ability to levy 50-thousand dollar fines on businesses or slap residents with fines of up to one-thousand dollars was approved unanimously. The measures follow numerous violations in the days following last week's declaration of a local state of emergency in Vancouver, restricting shop hours or operations and limiting many public activities. Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler a

British Columbia has recorded three more deaths from COVID-19 since Saturday.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says 472 people have now tested positive for the respiratory virus. She says the three deaths were all related to long-term care facilities, including one in the Lynn Valley care centre in North Vancouver where several other deaths have occurred, and another at a care home in downtown Vancouver.Henry says of the 472 positive cases, 33 people have been hospitalized and 14 are in intensive care.She says 100 people now listed as ``recovered'' have been released from isolation.In

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is announcing multiple new flights to bring stranded Canadians home from abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Trudeau says Air Transat, WestJet and Sunwing airlines all have flights planned this week.He says two Air Canada flights are to reach Canadians in Morocco in the coming days. An Air Canada flight to Spain is also confirmed, while Air Transat has been cleared for two flights to Honduras and one each to Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala.Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said on Twitter earlier today that the government has also arranged f

Ontario is reporting 78 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the provincial total to 503.It's the largest increase in a day so far.The total includes six deaths and eight cases that have fully resolved.At least six of the new cases are hospitalized, including a woman in her 30s, a man in his 40s, two people in their 50s and two people in their 70s.Information on dozens of the new cases is listed as pending.Since Sunday, more than 1,950 people tested negative, while more than 8,000 people are still awaiting their test results.

Air Transat says it has temporarily laid off about 3,600 staff including all flight crew personnel.That's about 70 % of its workforce in Canada.The company says the final Air Transat flight prior to the full suspension of its operations is scheduled for April 1st.Non-essential travel around the world has come to a near standstill as governments close borders in an effort to slow the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canada won't be at this summer's Tokyo Olympics unless the Games are postponed by a year. The Canadian Olympic Committee sent out a statement Sunday evening saying it's refusing to send a team to Tokyo unless the Games, which are scheduled to start on July 24, are pushed back by 12 months. The COC's statement comes amid a chorus of criticism aimed at the International Olympic Committee's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. IOC president Thomas Bach said earlier Sunday that they'd set a deadline of four weeks to determine the fate of the Games, and that the global organization is considering opt

Vancouver City Council will convene on Monday for a Special Council Meeting to vote on an amendment to Vancouver’s emergency powers bylaw that will include enforcement of orders. As directed by the provincial health officer, all businesses that remain open must ensure appropriate social distancing for staff and patrons. Businesses that do not comply with this requirement will be subject to closure and fines. In addition to previously-announced facilities and playground closures, the Vancouver Park Board will also today begin closing parking lots at high-traffic outdoor destinations. These pa

Conservative leadership candidate Erin O'Toole is calling for the race to be suspended. O'Toole is the latest contender to suggest the party needs to delay the June 27 vote. He says he wants his volunteers and organizers to be able to focused on the COVID-19 response. He says he's not dropping out of the race, but he says the needs of fellow Canadians must come first