By Canadian Press

The latest developments on COVID-19 in Canada

May 11, 2020 | 8:58 AM

The latest news on the COVID-19 global pandemic (all times Eastern):

11:45 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will continue to push for caution in terms of lifting COVID-19 restrictions.

Trudeau says leaders across the country are trying to find the right balance in terms of easing back on the lockdown and reopening the economy.

But he says the sacrifices that Canadians have made over the past two months will “all go up in smoke” if the wrong choices are made.

lest we forget

War memorial headstones poised for replacement after Nanaimo bylaw change

5h ago

major fire

One person rescued, home significantly damaged in Nanaimo fire

10h ago

wind storm

Lights back on for almost all BC Hydro customers who lost power in strong winds

13h ago

The comments came as schools in parts of Quebec reopened today even though the province has the largest number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

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11:35 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will make bridge loans available to large companies who cannot otherwise access credit, but that they will be required to make and keep a number of commitments to access the funds.

Those commitments include upholding labour and environmental standards and principles, curbing executive bonuses and dividends and that the companies share their complete financial structure.

Trudeau says the conditions are intended to ensure companies use the money to support their operations and employees, not line executive pockets and that taxpayer funds do not go to companies that use tax havens.

Trudeau says the loans are different from bailouts and will be accessible to all sectors of the economy.

10:55 a.m.

Nova Scotia is reporting one new death related to COVID-19, bringing the province’s total to 48.

Health officials say the death occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax.

The Northwood facility currently has 156 residents and 18 staff with active cases.

The province is also reporting one new case of the virus bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,019.

Nova Scotia has registered 33,869 negative test results, while 767 people have now recovered and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved.

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10:40 a.m.

Ontario is reporting 308 new cases of COVID-19 today, and 35 more deaths.

That brings the province to a total of 20,546 cases, including 1669 deaths and 15,131 resolved cases.

The total represents a 1.5 per cent increase over Sunday’s total, holding the same low growth rate as in the previous day.

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9:45 a.m.

BC Hydro says power demand has dropped across British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic and that is raising the risk of flooding as reservoirs fill up.

A report by the Crown Corporation says demand for electricity is down 10 per cent and uncertainty over B.C.’s economic recovery could push the decrease to 12 per cent by 2021.

The report also says reservoirs have the potential to reach capacity due to the drop in power demand, high inflows from spring snowmelt and limited export markets to sell surplus electricity.

To cut flood risks, protect communities and its equipment, BC Hydro says measures include reducing generation by halting operations at some of its smaller plants and spilling water from several of its reservoirs.

The Canadian Press