Coronavirus crisis
Minister of Finance Bill Morneau takes part in a press conference at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Friday, March 13, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Federal funds: Finance Minister Bill Morneau will announce at least $20 billion in aid today to ease the outbreak’s economic impact on Canadians. The package is expected to include direct payments. READ MORE
Joint travel ban in works: Canada and the U.S. are expected to announce a mutual ban on non-essential travel such as shopping and tourism today or tomorrow, a government source in Ottawa told The Canadian Press. READ MORE
Budget beefs: The executive policy committee will hear concerns about the city’s first multi-year budget today. Only people who have registered as part of a delegation will be allowed in the public gallery — no more than 30 at a time — because of the virus. The mayor says continuing public meetings was the right call. Joanne Pursaga reports. READ MORE
Stocks sink: Global stock markets are down in a third consecutive day of price swings despite world leaders promising economic aid, The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
Another update: The Manitoba government will give its regular update on the province’s COVID-19 cases later today. The number of confirmed cases nearly doubled Tuesday, increasing from eight to 15. Carol Sanders and Larry Kusch report. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: Mainly cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of flurries, a low of -12 C and high of -9 C this afternoon, wind at 20 km/h and wind chill as low as -20. There will be two to four centimetres of snow tonight.
More on the virus
SUPPLIEDRiverview Health Centre resident Shawna Forester Smith understands the reasons behind the centre’s decision to ban visitors.
Necessary sacrifice: Shawna Forester Smith, who lives at Riverview Health Centre, said she’s upset she won’t be able enjoy twice-daily visits with her husband because of the coronavirus threat, but adds it’s the right call. “If it gets in here, people are going to get really sick, and people are going to die.” Jason Bell reports. READ MORE
Senators player sick: A member of the Ottawa Senators is the first NHL player to be diagnosed with COVID-19. READ MORE
Long battle: A local virus expert says Canada will be battling the outbreak long past the end of closures announced by government and businesses. Kevin Rollason reports. READ MORE
Premières bumped back: The closing of movie theatres has delayed the debuts of two films by Winnipeggers. Randall King reports. READ MORE
Self-care during virus scare: In her latest column, Jen Zoratti says it’s important to take care of yourself, but people stuck at home during the outbreak shouldn’t feel pressured to turn that time into a productivity boot camp. READ MORE
In other news
Former Vice President Joe Biden, participates in a Democratic presidential primary debate at CNN Studios in Washington, Sunday, March 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Biden sweeps primaries: Joe Biden won all three Democratic presidential primaries easily Tuesday night, giving him a nearly insurmountable lead over Bernie Sanders. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump clinched the Republican nomination. READ MORE
Sentenced for slaying: A teenage boy has been sentenced as an adult to life in prison with no chance of parole for six years after a brutal attack on a passing senior in the North End. “The unprovoked and random nature of this assault is shocking,” Judge Heather Pullan wrote in her decision. Dean Pritchard reports. READ MORE
Today’s front page
Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE
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