Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $1.7 billion aid package for the energy sector Friday, which will fund remediation work on abandoned oil wells in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Trudeau also announced a $750 million emission reduction fund for the energy sector, which includes $75 million for offshore industry in Newfoundland to reduce methane emissions.
Another aid package totalling $962 million for regional development agencies in order to help employers in more rural areas was also part of Trudeau's address to Canadians Friday.
In provincial news, Ontario reported its highest number of lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in a single day Friday.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new partnership Friday between the province, Apple and Rogers that will see more than 21,000 iPads deployed to students in low income families across Ontario.
The devices will come with free wireless data and pre-loaded learning materials so that students can access the province's learn-at-home online portal.
Ford also announced that Ontario issued an emergency order last night that will extend free emergency childcare services to essential workers with group homes, shelters, RCMP, Canada Post and Canadian border security staff.
Auto insurance companies in Ontario are now allowed to provide rebates due the COVID-19 pandemic.
The change will allow insurance companies to provide auto insurance premium rebates to consumers for up to 12 months after the emergency has ended.
In local news, Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Christian Provenzano issued a statement Friday, responding to calls to lift some COVID-19 restrictions.
The Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority announced the Fort Creek Conservation Area parking lot will be barricaded and closed to the public effective Friday.
The conservation authority says the move is being made due to public overcrowding, garbage dumping, pet waste issues, and reduced staffing and service levels.
This year's Rotaryfest has been put on hold due to the COVID-19 crisis.
A local couple has printed more than 1,000 plastic ear protectors for frontline healthcare workers.
The 11th and 12th confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported by Algoma Public Health, with the 11th reported case providing evidence of community spread in Sault Ste. Marie and area.
Here are the latest COVID-19 testing numbers from Algoma Public Health, which includes a more detailed breakdown of its data:
- 1,120 tested
- 12 positive
- 897 negative
- 211 pending
- 0 deceased
- 6 resolved
Positive cases of COVID-19, broken down by region:
- 8 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
- less than 5 in central and east Algoma
- less than 5 in Elliot Lake and area
- 0 in north Algoma
Here are the COVID-19 reporting regions for the Algoma District, as defined by Algoma Public Health:
Central and East Algoma includes: Blind River, Bruce Mines, Hilton, Hilton Beach, Huron Shores, Jocelyn, Johnson, Mississauga First Nation, Plummer Additional, St. Joseph, Tarbutt and Tarbutt Additional, The North Shore, Thessalon, Thessalon First Nation
Elliot Lake and Area includes: Elliot Lake, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, Serpent River First Nation, Spanish
North Algoma includes: Dubreuilville, Michipicoten First Nation, Missinabie Cree First Nation, Wawa, White River
Sault Ste. Marie and Area includes: Batchewana First Nation, Garden River First Nation, Laird, Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional, Prince, Sault Ste. Marie
