National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index made small but broad-based gains Thursday on a slow day for the markets amid the Thanksgiving holiday south of the border. Volumes were low on the TSX Thursday as U.S.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,344.07, up 61.81): Manulife Financial Corp. (TSX:MFC). Financials. Up 16 cents, or 0.67 per cent, to $23.96 on 8.6 million shares.

MONTREAL — Delays at security check-in and other problems at Canada's airports were among the concerns raised Thursday as the air travel industry came together ahead of the busy winter travel season, but the sector warns more remains to be done.

TORONTO — More consumer protection is needed as new entrants in the fast-growing payments space get ahead of regulation, the head of the Canadian Bankers Association said.

TORONTO — Manulife Financial Corp. is eliminating about 50 jobs as it makes changes to its real estate operations. The company says it is changing its real estate operating model in Canada and its regional coverage strategy in North America.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the number of job vacancies was up 3.8 per cent in September at 994,800. The agency says the month-over-month increase was largely attributable to seasonal variations, as job vacancies typically peak in September.

BRUSSELS (AP) — On winter's doorstep, European Union nations again failed to bridge bitter disagreements over a natural gas price cap Thursday as they struggle to effectively shield 450 million citizens from massive increases in their utility bills .

Lee Nisar has racked up about $50,000 in student loans. "I avoid looking at my student loan account for my own well-being most of the time," said Nisar, who is a master's student at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Annie Titheridge's plan is to arrive at the mall before it opens, buy gifts for everyone on her list and beat the afternoon rush-hour traffic home.

HALIFAX — An affordable energy advocate says the imposition of consumer carbon pricing in Nova Scotia is a good idea, but adds that rising energy costs continue to pose problems for people with lower incomes.