National Business

OTTAWA — A quick look at Canada's May employment (numbers from the previous month in brackets): Unemployment rate: 13.7 per cent (13.0) Employment rate: 52.9 per cent (52.1) Participation rate: 61.4 per cent (59.

HALIFAX — It will be a "new normal" at bars and restaurants across Nova Scotia as they reopen after being closed for nearly three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

REGINA — Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer says COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings in the province are not likely to lift before next year. Dr.

DALLAS — Airline stocks soared Thursday after American Airlines said it will aggressively add back flights in July — a bet that the slow recovery in air travel will gain speed this summer as states re-open their economies.

TORONTO — Canadians looking to borrow money for a home purchase a home are in for some extra challenges after the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation announced changes to its lending standards on Thursday.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (15,527.87, down 47.24 points). Air Canada (TSX:AC). Industrials. Up $1.05, or 5.7 per cent, to $19.42 on 15.3 million shares.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index ended a three-day winning streak despite crude oil futures closing at a three-month high. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 47.24 points at 15,527.87, which is still up 2.2 per cent for the week.

OTTAWA — A senior official at the Bank of Canada says the central bank will be paying close attention to what the post-pandemic economy can supply and what consumers demand.

MONTREAL — Saputo Inc. believes the COVID-19 pandemic may present "great opportunities" for mergers and acquisitions, though travel restrictions present some difficulty in finalizing any possible deals, the chief executive said.

Bombardier Inc. says it will temporarily lay off 196 employees working on regional transit services in the Greater Toronto Area due to a steep decline in ridership numbers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.