Canada column for
Sunday, April 19/20
THE CANADIAN REPORT
(c) By Jim Fox
The deadly novel
coronavirus outbreak is picking on vulnerable seniors in long-term care homes
across Canada.
The number of
deaths from COVID-19 nears 1,200 with seniors in homes the hardest hit.
Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau said under consideration are additional supports for provinces
in tackling outbreaks in the homes.
“We need to do a
better job of being there for them,” he added.
This includes a
request by Quebec Premier Francois Legault to receive relief from medically
trained soldiers.
As well, Quebec has
recruited 2,000 retired doctors after Legault put out the call to help out in
overburdened homes.
Trudeau also warns
against reopening the economy too early as it would be “absolutely disastrous.”
It will be “a while
before the U.S.-Canada border reopens,” he added.
With much of
Canada’s economy at a standstill, the government has announced more financial
help for small businesses and replacement income for laid-off workers, along
with support payments of $2,000 in each of the next four months.
---
Airline passengers
are being required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering during travel to
curb the spread of coronavirus.
Transport Canada said the new rule takes
effect on Monday and travelers must cover their mouth and nose during the
boarding process and flights.
Air Canada, the
country’s largest carrier, called for coverings while onboard its flights.
Passengers can
bring their own that can include a cloth mask, scarf or similar item.
---
News in brief:
- With so many
Canadians stockpiling toilet paper, wood chips to make pulp is in short supply.
The demand for toilet paper has skyrocketed by 241 percent, said Derek Nighbor
of the Forest Products Association of Canada. Compounding the problem is the
closing of 39 sawmills, reducing the supply of wood chips needed to make pulp.
- Canadians are
getting some relief on credit card fees and mortgages payments. At the urging
of the federal government, the major banks cut credit card rates by about half
to 10.99 percent. As well, the banks are allowing homeowners to defer or skip
mortgage payments for up to six months.
---
Facts and figures:
The Canadian dollar is
lower at71.4 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.40 Canadian before exchange
fees.
The Bank of Canada’s
key interest rate is steady at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is
2.95 percent.
Canadian stock
markets are higher with the Toronto Stock Exchange at 14,359 points while the TSX
Venture index is 444 points.
The average price
for gas in Canada is higher at 77.3 cents a liter (Canadian) or $2.93 for a
U.S. gallon.
Lotto Max: (April
14) 3, 6, 9, 22, 29, 38 and 39; bonus 18. (April 10) 3, 9, 10, 14, 15, 19 and 20;
bonus 25.
Lotto
6/49 (April 15) 1, 3, 7, 13, 22 and 47; bonus 30. (April 11) 10, 14, 17, 32, 35 and 42;
bonus 26.
---
Regional briefs:
- The Hotel
Association of Greater Victoria, British Columbia is being asked to house the
homeless in temporarily closed hotels and motels. The city council wants the
provincial government to take over its empty rooms as a solution to housing the
homeless during the pandemic and providing some cash to the owners, said Mayor
Lisa Helps.
- When Greater
Toronto, an area of 5.9-million people, reopens for business after the pandemic
is still not known. Mayor John Tory said meetings are being held to discuss how
to coordinate resuming city operations with how to instruct businesses on when
and how to re-open and what that may look like.
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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