Fort Frances Times Online Edition - March 26, 2020

Social distancing doesn't mean staying indoors all the time - unless you're ordered to isolate. If you're healthy, get out and enjoy all the beauty our region has to offer - and take your camera! If you have a great shot of life in northwestern Ontario, or of your family out having fun in the fresh air, send it to us, at tips@fortfrances.com.

WASHINGTON—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is promoting a veteran of the international-trade trenches to be Canada's first permanent female envoy to the United States -just as a raging international pandemic tests the continent's cross-border resolve.

CALGARY—Canada's agriculture sector is warning of higher prices and potential food shortages if it isn't designated an essential service and allowed to do business as usual during the COVID-19 crisis.

Ontario has listed both Agriculture and supply chain industries as essential, allowing food production and distribution to continue to function as normal.

TORONTO - To support Ontarians through the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, the Government of Ontario is providing immediate electricity rate relief for families, small businesses and farms paying time-of-use (TOU) rates.

TORONTO—Ontario introduced a $17-billion package Wednesday to support the province through the COVID-19 outbreak, including an influx of cash for the health sector, direct payments to parents, and tax breaks for businesses.

Finance Minister Rod Phillips said the government is confident that every dollar invested through the plan that saves a life or a job is a dollar well spent.

OTTAWA—Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is expanding its insured mortgage purchase program to $150 billion as part of its response to the COVID-19 crisis.

The move to help bolster the financial system is an increase from an initial plan for $50 billion announced March 16.

TORONTO—From anti-doping to coaching education to most recently the Canadian team's bold move to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has historically been a leader on the global sports landscape.

TORONTO—Randy Ambrosie hasn't forgotten about CFL fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The league's commissioner will hold a video town hall question-and-answer session with football supporters tomorrow at noon ET on the league's website.

Ambrosie said it's important to him to keep CFL fans engaged and informed during the novel coronavirus outbreak.

SYDNEY, Australia—Football Federation Australia wants FIFA and the IOC to increase the age limit for the Olympic men's tournament in the wake of the Tokyo Games being pushed back to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

TOKYO—The Tokyo Olympics need new dates for the opening and closing ceremonies in 2021.

Nothing much can get done until those dates are worked out by the International Olympic Committee, the Japanese government and Tokyo organizers.

TORONTO—Hang tight, the winners of the cancelled Juno Awards will still be announced, but it won't be any time soon.

Organizers behind the annual celebration of Canadian music say they've decided to hit pause on revealing who picked up this year's trophies as the country deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low of -8 C (18 F).

Tomorrow will be mainly sunny with cloudy periods overnight and a high of 10 (50) with a low of minus-six (21).

Saturday will be sunny and clear with a high of seven (45) and a low of minus-three (27).