National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose to the highest level since August but still remains low by historic standards.

CALGARY — France's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm, which was developed by Canadian energy giant Enbridge Inc. in partnership with EDF Renewables and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, officially opened Wednesday.

Unionization among Canadian Starbucks employees is starting to gain traction, organizers say, but much like their U.S. counterparts, workers face barriers and alleged anti-union activity by the coffee giant.

VICTORIA — An annual report from British Columbia's auditor general says the province is owed millions by people who were ineligible for COVID-19 relief grants and that the government will spend billions on recent weather-related disasters.

OTTAWA — Federal ministers were spoiling for a fight over carbon pricing Tuesday as the Liberals moved to expand the federal system — and the accompanying rebates — to three Atlantic provinces.

LAVAL, Que. — Canadian convenience store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard reported earnings for the second quarter ended Oct. 9 were up 16.6 per cent. Net earnings for the quarter were $810.4 million, or 79 cents per diluted share, up from $694.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,220.01, up 242.88): Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB). Energy. Up 74 cents, or 1.37 per cent, to $54.82 on 13.5 million shares.

Tense bargaining between Loblaw Companies Ltd. and its distribution workers in Calgary is emblematic of wider labour movement trends being driven by the pandemic and high inflation, a labour expert said Tuesday.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index was up nearly 250 points Tuesday, swept up by a reversal in oil prices and broad-based gains, while U.S. markets also rose. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 242.88 points at 20,220.01.

OTTAWA — Counsel for the Competition Bureau tried to build the case Tuesday that Shaw Communications Inc. is not in as troubled a position as the company has made it seem as the hearing on the $26-billion proposed deal with Rogers Communications Inc.