The total of people who died of A/H1N1 flu in Canada has reached 33, health officials said on Friday.

The province of Ontario reported its 12th death Friday. The victim is a 37-year-old man from Toronto man who had underlying medical conditions.

Neighboring Quebec province reported its 14th death Friday.

Other deaths occurred in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Across Canada, there have been nearly 8,000 cases of H1N1 since the outbreak began, and most have been mild.

The common flu sends about 20,000 Canadians to hospital each year. The Public Health Agency's website says between 4,000 and 8, 000 Canadians can die of influenza and its complications annually, depending on the severity of the season.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2009)