National Business

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government promised new money Wednesday to fight a spike in violence and retail theft that has seen workers in some cases assaulted and injured.

TORONTO — Workers at a Nestle plant in Toronto have ratified a new contract after a strike that lasted more than three weeks.

TORONTO — BMO Financial Group shares fell almost nine per cent Wednesday after the bank reported results that missed expectations on higher loan-loss provisions and U.S. growth issues. The bank, which significantly expanded its U.S.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index fell 1.6 per cent Wednesday in a broad-based decline, while U.S. stock markets also fell. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 367.07 points at 21,897.98.

WINNIPEG — Shares of Ag Growth International Inc. closed up more than 11 per cent Wednesday after the company said it had rejected an unsolicited takeover offer. AGI shares closed up $5.13, or 11.15 per cent, to $51.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (21,897.98, down 367.07 points): Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Down $1.07, or 1.93 per cent, to $54.47 on 16.0 million shares.

OTTAWA — The federal health minister needs new powers to unilaterally take dangerous products off the shelves if they're hurting people and not being used as intended, Mark Holland said Wednesday.

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing bill has been defeated in the House of Commons with the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Québécois voting against the legislation.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks closed lower under the weight of higher yields in the bond market. The S&P 500 fell 0.7% Wednesday, sinking further from its record set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.

TORONTO — Quebec-focused National Bank of Canada bucked the general trend of downward profits among banks this quarter as it benefited from higher stability in its home market.