National Business

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.

OTTAWA — Consumer insolvencies are expected to spike in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic despite a reprieve in the number of filings in March.

VANCOUER, B.C. — SSR Mining Inc. and Alacer Gold Corp. have signed a deal to merge operations. Under the all-stock deal, Alacer shareholders will receive 0.3246 SSR Mining shares for each Alacer share held. The exchange ratio implies a value of $8.

CALGARY — WestJet says it is extending many flight cancellations into early July as it continues to deal with record-low passenger numbers due to COVID-19.

VANCOUVER — Family-owned Army & Navy says it has become a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic and will permanently close its department stores after 101 years in business in Western Canada.