COVID reaches Nunavut

Rapid response team on way to affected hamlet to help manage situation

TORONTO—COVID-19 has now spread to every region in Canada, with Nunavut reporting its first case on Thursday, as Ontario reported its largest one-day climb in fatalities and the country’s budget officer predicted a flood of red ink.

The case in northern Nunavut was identified in the 1,600strong largely Inuit community of Pond Inlet on Baffin Island. The territory’s chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson, said a rapid response team was on its way to the community to help manage the situation.

“No one wants this virus; no one brought this virus to Nunavut on purpose; no one deserves to be shamed or blamed,” Premier Joe Savikataaq said. “Now is the time for patience, kindness and staying at home.”

Overall, Canada has now seen more than 52,000 cases. More than 3,000 of those have been deadly.

In response to the crisis, the federal government has opened its spending taps in an effort to keep the system from total collapse. The cost of propping up the economy was thrown into stark relief on Thursday when Parliament’s budget watchdog pegged the deficit at a staggering $252 billion.

The report by budget officer Yves Giroux takes into account almost $146 billion in spending measures announced so far, and says even more might be needed if the economy recovers too slowly. The deficit figure, according to the office, was based on an expectation the economy would shrink 12 per cent this year.

Much of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s daily briefing, normally devoted to the government’s fight against the pandemic, was instead taken up by the crash of a Canadian military helicopter off the coast of Greece during a NATO training exercise.

Trudeau did say the government’s priority was to support those Canadians who have taken a financial hit because of anti-pandemic measures. The restrictions, he said, would allow the economy to “come roaring back” once the epidemic has been curtailed.

The restrictions, which have grounded much of the world’s commercial aviation, have also had a profound impact on Canada’s airports. Some have resorted to terminal closures and layoffs, while at least six regional facilities have lost scheduled passenger service altogether.

The organization that speaks for 100 airports across the country said they expected losses of around $2 billion this year. The Canadian Airports Association has asked for government help to keep them aloft until demand returns.