National Business

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.

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.

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.

CHESAPEAKE, Va.

OTTAWA — Governments looking to provide inflation relief to Canadians should choose measures that are well targeted and temporary, says Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem.

CALGARY — The organization representing Canada's oil and gas drilling sector is asking the federal government to create a new tax credit it says it needs to help the industry decarbonize.

TORONTO, Ohio — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,282.26, up 62.25): Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Down 57 cents, or 1.2 per cent, to $47.72 on 18.4 million shares.

TORONTO — Optimism on a potential moderation in rate hikes helped boost growth sectors like technology on Canada's main stock index Wednesday and more than offset losses on the energy side as oil prices fell. U.S.