Two people were killed and more than one million people lost power yesterday, Thursday, after a snowstorm hit two of Canada's most populous provinces, bringing freezing rain and strong winds that toppled trees and disrupted power supply lines ahead of the Easter holiday.

One million people without electricity

Power outages affected just under one million people in Quebec and about 110,000 in Ontario as of 20:00 GMT, according to the website (PowerOutage.com). Combined outages in the two provinces exceeded 1.3 million earlier today.

More than half of Canada's total population of about 39 million live in the two provinces.

Electricity supply companies in both provinces have been working to restore power, but repairs are expected to take several days, meaning many Canadians may spend the Easter holiday in the dark.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered federal assistance if needed.