National Business

TORONTO — Strength in commodities helped push Canada's main stock index up by triple digits to start May after a record-setting month. Monday's strong start was driven by weakness in the U.S. dollar, which benefits the materials and energy sectors.

TORONTO — The federal environment minister says he is designating a controversial highway project in the western Greater Toronto Area for assessment.

VICTORIA — Consumer trust for big brands dropped during the pandemic amid concerns about how ethically companies behaved, a 2021 study has found.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A massive bulk cargo ship has been anchored off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador since last week, and provincial health officials say 13 people aboard have now tested positive for COVID-19.

Calgary set a new record for April home sales as the market continued to rebound from lows triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's real estate board said Monday.

TORONTO — A new financing deal involving plenty of star power and venture capital investors has pushed Wealthsimple's valuation to $5 billion and has its CEO anxious to build the brand even further.

MONTREAL — The COVID-19 pandemic, a dockworkers strike and a rail blockage hit the Port of Montreal, which saw its cargo volumes fall in 2020 for the first time in seven years. The port says its volumes fell 14 per cent to 35.

MONTREAL — Bombardier is expecting to generate higher revenues in the first quarter while the aircraft manufacturer faces an allegation that it breached debt covenants by selling its railway and commercial aircraft businesses.

WASHINGTON — Growth in U.S. manufacturing slowed slightly in April partly due to a snarled global supply chain after hitting a 37-year high in March.

TORONTO — The Bank of Nova Scotia says it has signed a deal to buy an additional 7.0 per cent stake in Scotiabank Chile from the Said family. The deal will increase Scotiabank's interest in its Chilean operations to 83 per cent.