On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government will lower rent for small and medium-sized businesses by 75 per cent during the months of April, May and June under the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program.
Businesses with monthly rents of $50,000 or less that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis will be eligible for the program.
An agreement reached with all provinces and territories will see the federal government covering 50 per cent of monthly rent, with businesses absorbing 25 per cent.
The prime minister also announced that a conversation about the gradual re-opening of parts of the economy will take place with premiers Friday.
In provincial news, Ontario reported 640 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, with more than 12,000 tests being carried out in a single day.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced $900 million in rent relief for small and medium-sized businesses Friday as part of the federal government's Canada Emergency Commerical Rent Assistance program.
Ford says an announcement is expected early next week regarding Ontario's action plan for re-opening the economy.
A total of 407 recoveries and 50 deaths attributed to coronavirus have also been reported by the province.
In local news, the Downtown Association is calling off all scheduled events on Queen Street until at least July.
The Goulais River Recreation Committee says it's cancelling this year's Community Day event, but hopes to host a community festival in the fall.
The Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre is grateful for donations of food from local businesses, as the need increases at all three local food banks in the city.
A local counsellor suggests keeping some kind of routine with children during the COVID-19 crisis in SooToday's latest edition of Thrive.
The newest edition of Let's Eat looks at how one area maple syrup producer is adapting during the padnemic.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health:
- 1,677 tested
- 12 positive
- 1,256 negative
- 409 pending
- 0 deceased
- 9 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 8 in Sault Ste. Marie and area
- 1 in central and east Algoma
- 3 in Elliot Lake and area ***
- 0 in north Algoma
*** Three positive cases in Elliot Lake and area have been confirmed by Elliot Lake Family Health Team, but not Algoma Public Health
