National Business

TORONTO — Sun Life Financial Inc. beat expectations as it reported that fourth-quarter profits grew 3.5 per cent to $744 million, up from $719 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (18,457.78, up 49.16 points.) The Supreme Cannabis Co. Inc. (TSX:FIRE). Health care. Up seven cents, or 16.

FREDERICTON — The premier of New Brunswick says more than $200 million in new, private investment projects are an indicator of growth in the province over the past year despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index continued its record-setting run for an eighth day on a rising energy sector and cannabis stocks reportedly surging from interest by retail investors. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 49.

Low-cost carrier Flair Airlines says it is expanding service to eight cities in Canada, bringing its number of domestic destinations to 18 by the summer.

TORONTO — Public health restrictions loosened in three Ontario regions with low rates of COVID-19 on Wednesday, with local officials warning that visitors from other areas weren't welcome at reopened businesses.

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday underscored the Fed's commitment to reducing unemployment to multi-decade lows, where it stood before the pandemic, while signalling little concern about the risk of potentially high infla

CALGARY — Estimated costs for a proposed Alberta natural gas liquids pipeline put on hold last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic and commodity price uncertainty have jumped by $300 million to $1.6 billion, Keyera Corp. reported Wednesday.

TORONTO — Ontario will spend all of the $13.3 billion in pandemic funding it received from the federal government by the end of March, although that won't change the record deficit it expects to rack up this year.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — One of the nation’s premier nuclear laboratories isn’t taking the necessary precautions to guard against wildfires, according to an audit by the U.S. Energy Department’s inspector general.