A province that could be facing 25 percent unemployment as a result of crashing oil prices is ready to help other provinces cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, Alberta premier Jason Kenney announced that his government will ship 250,000 N95 masks to each of three provinces: British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

In addition, Ontario will receive 50 ventilators, 2.5 million procedural masks, 15 million gloves, and 87,000 goggles.

Quebec will also receive two million procedural masks and 15 million gloves.

The shipments will begin next week.

It came on the same day that Alberta reported 69 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death, bringing the number of novel coronavirus-linked fatalities in that province to 40.

“Albertans should be very proud that we are able to extend a helping hand to our Canadian brothers and sisters in this time of need," Premier Jason Kenney said. "It is because of Albertans’ efforts to isolate and the incredible job being done by frontline health-care workers that we are in a position to support others during this crisis.”

Alberta officials expect their province to experience the peak in COVID-19 cases in mid-May, which means 820 people could require hospitalization at that time. More than a quarter will need critical care, according to the government.

This modelling has given the Alberta government confidence that it will have enough personal protective equipment on-hand, leaving it in a position to help others in Canada.

"We want all of our country to know that in both good times and bad, Alberta is there for Canada," Kenney said.

B.C. has had more than 1,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Today, three more deaths were reported in the province, bringing the total to 58.

Ontario has more than 6,600 confirmed cases and 253 deaths. Quebec has 12,292 confirmed cases and 289 deaths.