National Business

TORONTO — The recent decision by Canada's banking regulator to relax a mortgage stress test rule was shaped in part by concerns about public perception of the agency, said Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions head Peter Routledge.

MONTREAL — Transat A.T. Inc. is preparing to lay off up to 80 workers as the tour operator struggles to turn its finances around, according to a preliminary notice sent to the Quebec government.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index retreated from its all-time high on Wednesday, weighed down by telecom, industrial and utilities stocks, while U.S. markets drifted higher.

HALIFAX — About half of the 7,020 households on Nova Scotia's wait-list for public housing are composed of seniors, the deputy minister of housing said Wednesday, a number the opposition said should make the government feel ashamed.

CALGARY — The coming boom in artificial intelligence represents both a threat and an opportunity for the clean energy transition, market experts suggest.

A First Nation in southwestern Ontario has recommended some residents evacuate, citing the risk of elevated levels of a toxic chemical being removed from a neighboring Sarnia plastics plant.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed close near their record levels. The S&P 500 ended little changed Wednesday, a day after sliding from its record on worries about a possible widening of the fighting in the Middle East.

MONTREAL — Swedish private equity firm Altor has signed a deal to buy CCM Hockey, as the two companies eye new demographics and try to build out the global market share of Canada's oldest hockey equipment maker.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday that it would ban the import of goods from a Chinese steel manufacturer and a Chinese maker of artificial sweetener, accusing both of being involved in the use of forced labor

EDMONTON — Albertans won't be able to buy alcohol from grocery and convenience stores after all.