The Canadian government announced that it's designating March 11 as National Day of Observance to commemorate the country's more than 22,000 COVID-19 victims. 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement on Monday that it will also signify a reflection of the significant impact all have felt due to COVID-19, from isolation and unemployment to losing time with friends and families.

"Early last year, our lives, and the lives of everyone around the world, were forever changed by the emergence of COVID-19," Trudeau said. "Today – one year after the first known death of a Canadian to the disease – we now mourn the tragic loss of more than 22,000 parents, siblings, friends, and loved ones."

"During this crisis, Canadians have remained resilient. They have helped neighbors, given to organizations, put signs in their windows to support our healthcare workers, and lent a hand wherever possible," he said in the statement.

The idea is also to "pay tribute to all those who continue to work hard and make incredible sacrifices in our fight against the virus," he said.

As of Monday afternoon, Canada reported a cumulative total of 888,952 COVID-19 cases and 22,259 deaths, according to the country's CTV Television Network.

As of March 7, a total of 2,039 cases of COVID-19 variants have been reported across Canada, including 1,905 B.1.1.7 variants, 121 B.1.351 variants, and 13 P.1 variants, the Public Health Agency of Canada said on Monday.

A stay-at-home order in Toronto, Peel Region, and North Bay was lifted Monday as the province of Ontario loosens pandemic restrictions. The three regions were the last ones still under the order, and are transitioning back to the government's color-coded pandemic response framework.

Quebec reported 579 new cases and nine additional deaths on Monday. People in many parts of the province will be able to eat in restaurants and work out in gyms starting Monday as five regions are downgraded from red to orange on the province's color-coded pandemic alert level system.

The country now expects 36.5 million vaccines approved doses of COVID-19 to be delivered by the end of June. 

Canada has a population of almost 38 million and Trudeau has said everyone who wants a shot will be able to get one by the end of September.

(With input from Xinhua, Reuters)