Quebec moves tax deadline to June as COVID-19 cases rise

• 74 confirmed casesin Quebec as ofTuesday, up from 50 a day earlier and 39on Sunday. More than 3,700people are under investigation.
• Quebec will delay tax filing season beyond April 30. Taxes will not have to be paid until July 31.
• There will beno emergency sheltersin case of spring floods this year.
• Aconfirmed COVID-19 patient took Montreal-area public transit onMarch 10.
• Call 1-877-644-4545if you think you have COVID-19 symptoms instead of 811.
• Starting today, Quebec will be able to conduct 6,000 COVID-19 tests a day, up from 1,600.
• Montreal public health says the likelihood that there is community transmission is "probable."
• Quebec's rental board, theRgiedu logement, is suspending eviction hearings.
• There is now increased screening at Montreal'sTrudeau airport, one of only four airports in the country where foreign flights can land.
• The province's National Assembly adjourneduntil late April.

Quebec will be extending tax filing season beyond April 30 to easepressure on residents coping with the fallout of the COVID-19 outbreak, the province's finance minister announced Tuesday.

The delay will push back the date for filing provincial income statements for individuals to June 1. The taxes owed will not need to be paid until July 31.

Eric Girard said people should still strive to file by April 30, especially if they are expecting a tax return. If taxes are filed before the end of April, tax returns will roll out on time, he said.

Companies are expected to file on time, but will also not need to pay until July 31.

"Small business owners, big business, citizens it's difficult for everyone. Agriculture sector, tourism, restaurants, I'm certain that gym owners have it hard too," Girard said.

"It's important that our actions be precise and efficient."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday he's also open to extending the federaltax deadline.

Girard said the delay representsover $7 billion will remain in the hands of Quebecers and businesses.

He also saidQuebec Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon will announce additional measures to assist businesses in the coming days.

Long-term economic impact unknown

When asked what impact thecrisis wouldhave on the Quebec economy, Girardsaid it was hard to predict.

"I don't have numbers. I don't know how long this will last," he said."What's going to happen with public health will determine the economic impact."

Despite strong economic growth in February, there was a contraction of the world economy in March, he said.

"How many months will resemble the month of March? That's extremely important."

The announcement comes a week after Girard tabled the provincial budget. At the time, he said Quebec was "well-equipped" to weather the crisis.

His budget speech made all of one reference to coronavirus, and the budget itself contained no specific measures to deal with the outbreak or its economic consequences.

The CAQpassed additional budget appropriations on Tuesday before it adjourned until April, giving the government access to $500 million to pay for things like the emergency daycare that will serve essential workers.

COVID-19 testing capacity to increase

Also new Tuesday,Quebec willincrease its COVID-19 testing capacity, from 1,600 to 6,000 tests a day.

Previously, tests had only beensent to the province's Public Health Laboratory in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, in Montreal's West Island. Now,seven other medical centresand hospitals will be able to analyze resultsas well.

"We will do that test, test, test," said Quebec's director of public health, Horacio Arruda, Monday."The transmission here is still at its beginning. I'm not telling you there is no transmission ... but we will soon be testing, testing, and testing."

This comes a day after Montreal public health officials said there was likely community transmission in the citythat hasn't been detected.

In an effort to stop the spread of the virus, Public Security Minister Genevive Guilbaultsaid there will not be emergency shelters in place this year in the event of flooding.

Public health officials were dispatched to Trudeau airport starting Monday, to create an additional checkpoint for arriving passengers to inform them about COVID-19.

Workers arehanding out flyers with details about how travellers should self-isolate, as well as recommendations for tracking their symptoms.

Trudeau airport is now one of only four airports in the country where international flights will be allowed to land.