National News

OTTAWA — The last couple of years have taken on a biblical tone in the rural Pontiac region of Quebec. The small community of about 6,000 has recovered from five natural disasters in just two years.

TORONTO — No winning ticket was sold for the $70 million jackpot in Friday night's Lotto Max draw. And of the 10 Maxmillions prizes of $1 million each there were offered, only one was claimed — by a lottery player in Atlantic Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every province and territory. Medical officers of health and Canada's chief public health officer are encouraging people to wash their hands, give each other space and wear a mask if they're sick.

VICTORIA — The novel coronavirus threatens the health of Canadians, but to some people the pandemic stokes fears of a government plot to subvert freedoms, say experts who study conspiracy theories.

VICTORIA — British Columbia's provincial health officer says she's starting to see "glimmers of hope" in an apparent shift toward flattening the curve of COVID-19 cases in the province.

The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 10:08 p.m. ET on March 27, 2020: There are 4,757 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada.

PANAMA CITY — Four passengers have died aboard a cruise ship now anchored off the coast of Panama and two people aboard the ship have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the cruise line said Friday, with hundreds of passengers unsure how long

OTTAWA — The federal government capped an unprecedented week Friday by announcing a slew of measures to help small businesses cope with the COVID-19 crisis, bringing Ottawa's total planned support in response to the pandemic to at least $200 billion.

The latest news on the COVID-19 global pandemic (all times Eastern): 8:45 p.m. An employee at an Ontario liquor store has tested positive for COVID-19.

CALGARY — A hockey player paralyzed from the chest down in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash has launched a lawsuit that names both drivers involved in the deadly collision.