Freeland asks provinces, territories for COVID-19 readiness plans

The federal government is asking the provinces and territories for their plans to deal with COVID-19 ahead of a meeting on March 13 between the premiers and the prime minister.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland wrote the provinces and territories asking them to inform the federal government of their state of readiness and any shortages they’re facing ahead of the first ministers meeting in Ottawa.

The letter came as Canada reported its first death on March 9 from COVID-19.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, says the man died at the Lynn Valley Care Centre on the evening of March 8. The man was in his 80s with a number of underlying health conditions.

Friday’s first ministers meeting will include discussions on the potential impact of the spreading virus on the country’s health-care system and its economy.

In her letter, Freeland said the federal government is already leading a bulk procurement of personal protective equipment.

Related: Morneau talks up fiscal room as COVID-19 concerns mount

Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the Canadian economy can weather the economic impacts of the novel coronavirus.

The country’s finances are healthy enough to help individuals and businesses deal with the fallout, Morneau said, without providing details of any plans or when the federal budget will be released.

He would not reveal whether he expected the deficit to be bigger than previously projected, given the sharp decline in oil prices and the hit to financial markets, saying only that Ottawa is in a position to respond to challenges like COVID-19, and the budget is only part of the response.

The government is being urged to ease access to federal sick leave benefits, along with tax credits and other breaks, to help workers who can’t afford to stay home when sick, as well as to help small businesses that might not have the cash flow to manage the effects of the outbreak.