National Business

OTTAWA — Wholesale sales in Canada rose 0.9 per cent to $66.2 billion in September, boosted by gains in sectors that provide consumer goods such as food, pharmaceuticals and pharmacy supplies Statistics Canada said Tuesday.

HALIFAX — In a year plagued by a deadly virus, closures and cancellations, parents are eager to give their kids a Christmas like, well, every other.

The annual pace of housing starts increased three per cent in October compared with September, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said on Tuesday, although the increase was less than some economists predicted.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — U.S. industrial production rose 1.1% in October, recovering much of the spring decline caused by the virus pandemic.

TORONTO — George Weston Ltd. raised its dividend as it reported its latest quarterly results.

Universal Pictures has struck another deal with a major theatre chain to shorten the theatrical window from three months to as little as 17 days in an effort to adapt to the new business realities of moviegoing.

TORONTO — For Chelsea Hearty and Ian Moores, the recipe for success began with a midnight snack.

BEIJING — Chinese tech giant Huawei is selling its budget-price Honor smartphone brand in an effort to rescue the struggling business from damaging U.S. sanctions imposed on its parent company.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — With Iowa hospitals filling up, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds dropped her longtime opposition to a statewide mask mandate and enacted a limited version of one on Monday.

CALGARY — Advisory firm Glass Lewis says the proposed hostile takeover of Bonterra Energy Corp. would be good for Obsidian Energy Ltd. shareholders but it has "almost no practical likelihood of being successful.