National Business

OTTAWA — Consumers continued to buy more hand sanitizer, toilet paper, canned goods and baking supplies in April than before the COVID-19 pandemic even as the mid-March shopping frenzy started to die down, according to Statistic Canada's latest data.

Tilray Inc. experienced a rocky first quarter as it grappled with losing 10 per cent of its workforce through layoffs and then the restructuring of its operations. The Nanaimo, B.C.,-based cannabis firm, which reports its earnings in U.S.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (15,103.22, up 136.66 points.) Freegold Ventures Ltd. (TSX:FVL). Materials. Unchanged at 34 cents on 21.8 million shares.

CALGARY — A federal financing relief package for large Canadian companies was applauded by the oil and gas sector and the Alberta government on Monday despite conditions that could link the aid to an individual company's climate change goals.

TORONTO — Shopify Inc. led Canada's main stock index higher to start the week as the technology sector continues to thrive amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 136.66 points at 15,103.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Airport Authority says it has issued layoff notices to 25 per cent of its nearly 550-person workforce, including both management and union employees.

MONTREAL — Quebecor's interest in Cirque du Soleil seems logical to at least one financial analyst if the media company opts to trim the size of Cirque's entertainment business in order to revive its financial health.

TORONTO — A total of $1.8 million in sanctions was levied against Canadian investment firms by a national industry watchdog last year, about double what it imposed in 2018.

TORONTO — The amount of commercial rent payments for May look to be similar to April, several real estate investment trusts said while reporting quarterly earnings, in spite of concerns the picture would worsen amid extended business closures.

CALGARY — One of Canada's biggest drilling companies will cut its dividend and further reduce spending as a deep downturn in North American oil and gas exploration continues to weigh on the oilfield services sector.