National Business

VANCOUVER — Shoppers at recently reopened Sleep Country stores looking to test mattresses or pillows will find a disposable protective barrier between them and the product.

WASHINGTON — Nearly 3 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as the viral outbreak led more companies to slash jobs even though most states have begun to let some businesses reopen under certain restrictions.

OTTAWA — Canadian manufacturing sales posted their biggest percentage drop since the financial crisis in March and economists warned sales are expected to continue to fall in April as the COVID-19 pandemic brought the economy to a crawl.

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers' coronavirus stay-at-home order Wednesday, ruling that his administration overstepped its authority when it extended it for another month without consulting legislators.

VICTORIA — Guidelines on health and safety for businesses and services in British Columbia to begin reopening will be available next week just as some restrictions are lifted in the province, says the premier.

CALGARY — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says news that one of the world's largest investment funds will exclude four Canadian oilsands producers from consideration for investing is part of a continuing shift in global attitudes for which oil companie

REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has laid out the conditions for recalling the legislature after weeks of prodding from the NDP opposition.

DETROIT — It appears the dispute between Tesla and San Francisco Bay Area authorities over the reopening of a factory in the face of shutdown orders appears to have ended.

MONTREAL — FlightHub Group Inc. is entering creditor protection after a Quebec Superior Court judge granted its application, filed as the travel industry reels from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

VICTORIA — British Columbia has announced details on how it plans to spend $120 million in federal funds earmarked for cleaning up inactive oil and gas well sites across the province.