National Business

Canada's main stock index had its worst day in more than a year Friday as worries about a new COVID variant in southern Africa prompted a broad-based selloff by spooked investors. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 487.28 points at 21,125.

VICTORIA — B.C.'s private cannabis stores can now start stocking pot-themed clothing, books and other goods.

GATINEAU, Que. — Rogers Communications Inc. used the last day of CRTC hearings reviewing its proposed takeover of Shaw Communications Inc.

HALIFAX — Malls and shopping districts were bustling with shoppers in search of Black Friday discounts and a little holiday cheer, despite an abundance of sales earlier in the fall and ongoing worries over the COVID-19 pandemic.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday recommended an overhaul of the nation's oil and gas leasing program to focus on areas that are most suitable for energy development and raise costs for energy companies to drill on public lands and

OTTAWA — The federal government ran a deficit of nearly $69 billion over the first half its fiscal year, almost $130 billion less than the treasury pumped out during the same stretch one year earlier.

TORONTO — When the December holidays near, Lee Piccoli will thank his staff for a year of hard work over an informal toast at his homebuilding company's Guelph, Ont. office.

CALGARY — Mexican regulators have given their approval to Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.'s deal to buy U.S. railway Kansas City Southern.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (21,613.18, up 64.75 points.) Manulife Financial Corp. (TSX:MFC). Financials. Up 15 cents, or 0.61 per cent, to $24.93 on 13.

GATINEAU, Que. — BCE Inc. urged the CRTC to reject Rogers Communications Inc.'s $26-billion proposed takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. on Thursday, while independent operators have called for more safeguards.