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Here’s our story about Trudeau’s announcement.

BREAKING – The federal government will increase the wage subsidy for small and medium sized businesses to 75% of wages, up from 10% #cdnpoli #covid19 https://t.co/r7meCJPqrA pic.twitter.com/Ce4AIpEdt5 — Mackenzie Gray (@Gray_Mackenzie) March 27, 2020

11:09 a.m.

Service Canada shuts offices

Service Canada, the agency that provides information about federal programs and services, has shut its offices but says online access is still open.

All in person Service Canada Centres are temporarily closed until further notice. Canadians can still access their benefits at https://t.co/1C5dekC5gJ. For more information: https://t.co/gE8fGuG7k9 pic.twitter.com/kgUw4u6Mp8 — Service Canada (@ServiceCanada_E) March 27, 2020

11:06 a.m.

Shrinking economy and rate cuts

A shrivelling economy, sharply higher federal deficit and lower interest rates are among the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic as the steadily growing case load of infections in Canada surpassed 4,000.

Read our story about the economic fallout here.

10:59 a.m.

Quebecers very satisfied

Quebecers say they are very happy with how Premier François Legault’s government is handling the crisis.

Les taux de satisfaction de la gestion de crise des gouvernements *provinciaux* est en hausse partout au pays selon l'Institut Angus Reid.



Au Québec, cette proportion grimpe à 93% (!!)



Ma dernière chronique pour @Lactualite → https://t.co/8AXxC0CRyQ pic.twitter.com/0SC6RSq5a1 — P.J. Fournier | 338Canada | Qc125 (@Qc_125) March 27, 2020

10:35 a.m.

More media carnage

After layoffs, salary cuts and the elimination of some newspaper print editions at other Quebec media outlets, Quebecor has announced this morning that it’s temporarily laying off 10 per cent of its staff.

Quebecor owns the TVA network and the Journal de Montréal.

Read the company’s press release here.

Traditional media companies, already suffering from a loss of advertising to Facebook and Google, have seen dramatic revenue declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

10:34 a.m

Can you refuse access to your apartment?

From the moment the government announced measures to curb the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Gatineau resident Joshua Carriere says he has done what he can to respect the different orders and recommendations in place.

Carriere said he sees it as his duty as a Canadian. But after informing his landlord last week that he isn’t renewing his lease, Carriere has found himself in a bind. His landlord, Carriere says, is now insisting he needs to allow prospective tenants to visit his apartment.

Read the full story here, by Jesse Feith.

10:20 a.m.

Minister answers questions from kids

Mathieu Lacombe, Quebec’s family minister, will answer questions submitted by children at a 2 p.m. briefing today.

Quebec children can submit their COVID-19 pandemic questions via Télé-Québec’s youth platform, squat.telequebec.tv.

The briefing will be broadcast on the Télé-Québec Facebook page and on www.telequebec.tv.

10:10 a.m.

Busy times at Montreal’s biggest food bank

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10:05 a.m.

A note from the editor

We published a note to readers from editor Lucinda Chodan in today’s paper:

In the last few weeks, the world has changed. These are remarkable times, and the Montreal Gazette is here to inform you, as we have for the last 242 years.

Our journalists have been on the front lines, bringing you credible, vital information as to what is happening in our community as individuals around the world respond to the coronavirus pandemic. We’re also proud that our advertisers have chosen us as a way to connect with you about what they’re doing during this unprecedented set of circumstances.

Read the rest of the note here.

10 a.m.

Debunking myths

Coronavirus misinformation is also spreading, Gazette columnist Joe Schwarcz writes.

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9:52 a.m.

Montreal festival season up in the air

Will the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Just For Laughs and Osheaga take place as usual? Industry insiders say it’s simply too early to tell.

Read our story here, by Brendan Kelly.

9:48 a.m.

Online tool tells you if you need testing

Think you’ve been exposed to #COVID19? Use the #COVID19 self-assessment tool to help you determine if you need further assessment or testing. Try it now: https://t.co/lPNDs5t6sT pic.twitter.com/EbyEOvhfPq — Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) March 27, 2020

9:45 a.m.

Beware of Hydro-Québec scams

Hydro-Québec says clients should be weary of a string of fraudulent messages being delivered in its name recently.

Read our story here.

We invite you to be on the lookout for fake messages appearing to come from Hydro-Québec. Scammers are trying to take advantage of the situation surrounding COVID-19 to send fake refund notices.



More info: https://t.co/MW3vaHvgXx — Hydro-Québec (@hydro_customer) March 27, 2020

9:31 a.m.

‘Crescendo of the Bells’

The archbishops of Montreal and Quebec City have asked Catholic churches in their dioceses to ring their bells for 10 minutes on the next three Sundays at noon in the lead up to Easter.

Churches are closed as a coronavirus preventive measures.

“During this time of Lent, it is a way of demonstrating our solidarity and fraternity with individuals, families, especially the most vulnerable, the sick and their loved ones, and of recognizing the dedication of the health-care personnel and all those ensuring the security and well being of our city,” said Christian Lépine, archbishop of Montreal.

“This ‘Crescendo of the Bells’ is a sign of hope and of solidarity, signalling that the Church stands with the people and the city once known as ‘The City of a Hundred Bell Towers.'”

9:01 a.m.

Bank of Canada lowers benchmark rate again

The Bank of Canada has slashed the benchmark rate by 50 basis points to overnight target rate of .25 per cent.

“This unscheduled rate decision brings the policy rate to its effective lower bound and is intended to provide support to the Canadian financial system and the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Bank of Canada said in a press release.

“The spread of COVID-19 is having serious consequences for Canadians and for the economy, as is the abrupt decline in world oil prices. The pandemic-driven contraction has prompted decisive fiscal policy action in Canada to support individuals and businesses and to minimize any permanent damage to the structure of the economy.”

Bank of Canada lowers overnight rate target to ¼ percent. https://t.co/JOtY0onRK8 — Bank of Canada (@bankofcanada) March 27, 2020

8:58 a.m.

Aislin’s take

8:56 a.m.

Boris Johnson tests positive

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive.

Read our story here.

Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus.



I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.



Together we will beat this. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/9Te6aFP0Ri — Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) March 27, 2020

8:45 a.m.

Latest numbers

With 1,629, Quebec had the highest number of confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 cases in Canada, as of 4 a.m. on Friday, March 27, according to this tally by The Canadian Press.

There were 4,043 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada at that point.

The breakdown by province and territory:

Quebec: 1,629 confirmed (including 8 deaths, 1 resolved)

Ontario: 858 confirmed (including 15 deaths, 8 resolved)

British Columbia: 725 confirmed (including 14 deaths, 173 resolved)

Alberta: 486 confirmed (including 2 deaths, 27 resolved)

Saskatchewan: 95 confirmed (including 3 resolved)

Newfoundland and Labrador: 82 confirmed

Nova Scotia: 73 confirmed

Manitoba: 25 confirmed, 11 presumptive

New Brunswick: 33 confirmed

Repatriated Canadians: 13 confirmed

Prince Edward Island: 9 confirmed

Yukon: 3 confirmed

Northwest Territories: 1 confirmed

Nunavut: No confirmed cases

Total: 4,043 (11 presumptive, 4,032 confirmed including 39 deaths, 212 resolved)

8:30 a.m.

What’s open and closed in Montreal

We are constantly updating our list of what is open, and mostly what is closed, in Montreal.

8:30 a.m.

Nightly newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter dedicated to local coronavirus coverage here: montrealgazette.com/coronavirusnews

8:30 a.m.

If you have symptoms

Quebecers who think they have symptoms of COVID-19 should call Quebec’s hotline at 1-877-644-4545.

ariga@postmedia.com