National Business

OTTAWA — Lower shipments of gold and the B.C. port strike weighed on imports as Canada's merchandise trade deficit for July narrowed compared with June, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.

TORONTO — A new report says only four per cent of Canadian businesses are using artificial intelligence.

TORONTO — The Greater Toronto Area housing market saw home sales and prices barely shift between July and August, but the leader of the region's housing board is expecting more volatility on the way.

TORONTO — The new light vehicle market grew again in August, with sales jumping 18.3 per cent compared to the same time last year, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. It marks the tenth straight month of year-over-year gains.

NEW YORK (AP) — Tennis has a fuzzy yellow problem most players don’t think about when they open can after can of fresh balls, or when umpires at U.S. Open matches make their frequent requests for “new balls please.

When Heather Aleinik was laid off from Shopify Inc. last summer, it was "one of the biggest curveballs" of her career.

TORONTO — Rogers Communications Inc. has launched a countersuit against former CEO Joe Natale, seeking to have him repay more than $15 million in severance to the company that fired him.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed Tuesday to extend their voluntary oil production cuts through the end of this year, trimming 1.3 million barrels of crude out of the global market and boosting energy prices.

CALGARY — Pilots with WestJet Encore are gearing up to bargain their second collective agreement. The Air Line Pilots Association says it's filed notice to open contract negotiations with the regional carrier for WestJet.

CALGARY — Enbridge Inc. has signed a US$14 billion cash-and-debt deal that represents a major vote of confidence by the Canadian company in the future of natural gas.