National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index has made back about a third of its recent losses with the first three-day rally since hitting a record high in February. The S&P/TSX composite index closed 243.94 points or 1.8 per cent higher at 13,371.17.

Jacqui Birchall is hoping for a full refund from WestJet after it cancelled her flight from Puerto Vallarta to Vancouver as part of its major capacity reduction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MONTREAL — Two major Quebec media companies are announcing big cost-cutting measures that they say are necessary to deal with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

TORONTO — The coronavirus outbreak is pushing some realtors to turn away all but the most desperate clients, while others are adopting extraordinary measures in an effort to help maintain social distancing and stem the spread of the pandemic.

TORONTO — More than 230 leaders of technology companies and innovation hubs across the country are calling on the Ontario government for more help to weather the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

TORONTO — When the federal government teased its $82-billion relief plan for Canadian businesses and workers impacted by COVID-19, Toronto jewelry manufacturer Jewels4Ever was anxious to hear more.

VICTORIA — The B.C. government stepped up its efforts under the Emergency Program Act on Thursday to ensure, among other things, that goods and services are getting to those who need them.

VANCOUVER — SSR Mining Inc. says more than 300 workers will be affected by its decision to suspend operations at the Seabee gold mine in northern Saskatchewan until April 30 due to the threat of COVID-19.

Demand for dairy products at retail stores has spiked amid the COVID-19 outbreak while orders from food-service operators have fallen, said executives at dairy processor Saputo Inc .

OTTAWA — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is expanding its insured mortgage purchase program to $150 billion as part of its response to the COVID-19 crisis.