National Business

TORONTO — North American stock markets partially rebounded from Wednesday's correction on a broad-based rally even though crude oil prices hit their lowest level in about five months.

A group representing Canadian insurance companies has launched a team that will help small businesses find affordable coverage as rates rise during the pandemic, but critics expressed skepticism over the move.

TORONTO — Demand for space in prime office towers and shopping malls has plunged because the pandemic suddenly turned them into places that customers and tenants "don't even want to go to," RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust's veteran chief executiv

U.S. stocks shook off an early slide and closed broadly higher Thursday as the market steadied after its worst drop in more than four months. The S&P 500 rose 1.2%, bouncing back from a drop of 0.3% in the early going.

Small business confidence appears to be an inverse function of the COVID-19 case count, with a new report finding the outlook of entrepreneurs fell in October just as the pandemic's second wave tracked upward.

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia hotel, motel and inn operators hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic are being offered a property tax rebate. The rebate program will cost about $4.

Gildan Activewear Inc. says it is feeling some of the same pain as the airline industry as COVID-19 has upended the tourism business and demand for holiday printed T-shirts.

Health Canada has suspended the licence of a Mississauga manufacturer of hand sanitizer and issued an expanded recall for some of its products found to contain unauthorized ingredients that could be unsafe for consumers.

CALGARY — The Alberta government's decision to end its oil production curtailment program in December after almost two years is "a very positive signal" for oilsands and refining giant Suncor Energy Inc., CEO Mark Little said Thursday.

CALGARY — The one-time costs of merging with Husky Energy Inc. are expected to total about $500 million, including severance, says the CEO of Cenovus Energy Inc., adding the expense is worth it given the expected savings of about $1.