National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index rose on Friday, as strength in financial and technology stocks helped outweigh weakness in energy, while U.S. markets rose to a solid finish after a day of mixed trading.

WASHINGTON — The federal government says it's in close contact with its American partners as the Biden administration escalates efforts to halt Canada’s tax on large foreign digital services companies.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks on Wall Street bounced back from a midafternoon fade Friday, leaving the market on pace to close out its fourth-straight winning month with more gains. The S&P 500 was up 0.

MONTREAL — The governments of Canada, Quebec and the City of Montreal are crediting a new fast-track housing program for plans to build 1,001 affordable homes in Montreal and Rimouski, Que.

The president of the union representing thousands of railroaders says the government's actions set a "dangerous precedent" that threatens workers' constitutional right to collective bargaining.

OTTAWA — Economists say the Bank of Canada is still on track to cut interest rates next week, despite economic growth coming in stronger than expected in the second quarter.

MONTREAL — About 2,500 workers at 22 hotels in some of Quebec’s biggest cities have launched a one-day strike to protest an impasse in contract talks. The walkout at hotels in Montreal, Quebec City and Sherbrooke is the second time since Aug.

TORONTO — More than 4,000 convenience stores across Ontario have been licensed to sell alcohol as new liberalized rules are set to take effect next week.

TORONTO — Cannabis retailer Tokyo Smoke says it will be shuttering 29 of its stores as it seeks creditor protection. The closures are part of a restructuring the brand is carrying out under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Art Gallery says the construction cost of its planned new home has jumped from an original estimate of $400 million to $600 million, forcing a redesign.