Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government, provinces and territories will spend $4 billion to increase the wages of essential workers in the COVID-19 pandemic.He says the details are still to be finalized with some provinces.But Trudeau says all the country's first ministers agree that front-line workers who are risking their health and make minimum wage deserve a raise.It will be up to each province to decide which workers count as ``essential'' and will get a top-up.Trudeau says Canadians are relying on these workers now, more than ever, and all provinces and territories work

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says as of today, the Canadian Armed Forces will have 1,020 personnel committed to 20 long-term care homes in Quebec.He says that includes 670 medical and support staff inside the facilities, as well as 350 members providing outside support such as delivering personal protective equipment.Sajjan says by mid-May, more than 1,350 Forces members will be helping in 25 of the province's long-term care homes. There are also 265 Forces personnel assisting at five facilities in Ontario.Canadian Forces members are also helping in rural and remote regions doing in contact

Students in K to 12 education will be returning to school in September, with only a partial return this school year. Students in post-secondary education will be returning to school in September with a mix of online and in-class learning. On Wednesday, B.C. Premier John Horgan said classes will fully resume in September. Routine daily screening protocols would be place at schools, but provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry is expected to provide more details. Premier John Horgan says the province wants to do a dry run in June to consider how the education system could operate to prevent

Six hearses lined up on the tarmac at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario today, as the Forces Members killed in Canada's worst military tragedy in more than a decade were welcomed home. The families of the dead and missing from last week's helicopter crash off Greece met privately with a mask-wearing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau and Governor-General Julie Payette then watched as the casket carrying the remains of Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough was carried from a heavy transport aircraft. The body of the 23-year-old sailor is the only one recovered from the Ionian Sea. The se

The chief public health officer has acknowledged that the number of deaths as a result of COVID-19 in Canada has now exceeded the national projections for potentially 3,883 deaths by May 5. Just over 4,100 people have died in Canada to date. Tam says the increased number of deaths is due to the tragic fact that those who were infected weeks ago are now coming to the end stages of COVID-19, and are passing away, most often those in long-term care facilities. But Dr. Theresa Tam points out that the epidemic still appears to be slowing down and that the doubling time for infections is now at abo

The Canadian Pharmacists Association says ongoing drug shortages mean pharmacies are receiving short shipments from manufacturers, leaving them to try to adjust on the fly.The association first warned of the possibility of looming shortages in early March, when supply chains were disrupted by COVID-19 in China.While Canada has seen a spike in shortages since then, it hasn't developed into the emergency situation some health officials had feared.Barry Power with the association says manufacturers and wholesalers have told them the rationing measures pharmacies are taking are helping to reduce d

Ontario is extending a period of lower hydro rates as well as its emergency orders.The orders, which were set to expire today, include the closure of non-essential businesses, the prohibition of public gatherings of more than five people, and the closure of outdoor amenities such as playgrounds.They have now been extended for another two weeks, to May 19.Ontario's overall declaration of a state of emergency was extended last month to May 12.The government also says that it will extend lower electricity rates for residential consumers, farms and small businesses to May 31. An initial order fro

BC is reporting only eight new cases of COVID-19 but four new deaths. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says that brings the total number of cases to 2,232 and 121 deaths. Henry says there are now active outbreaks at 22 long-term care centres but the one at Lynne Valley the first major outbreak in the province is over. She says the province has put the brakes on COVID-19 but it's too early for people to start planning play dates and expanding their social connections.

Canada's chief public health officer says the daily increase of COVID-19 cases in Canada has slowed to about three per cent. Dr. Theresa Tam says that trend, coupled with statistics showing the percentage of tests coming back positive is going down, even as the number of tests goes up, signifies that the epidemic in Canada is slowing down. Meanwhile, Tam says the pediatric network in Canada is monitoring children for signs of the inflammatory syndrome known as Kawasaki disease, which some countries have found in some children with COVID-19. But Tam says there are no firm conclusions in Canada