National Business

CALGARY — Air Canada’s decision not to offer rapid testing as an alternative for employees who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 sets a tough new precedent that other companies may emulate, experts say.

HALIFAX — A man and his Halifax-based company defrauded five people of hundreds of thousands of dollars in a fake loan scheme, a Nova Scotia Securities Commission panel ruled earlier this week.

SMITHS FALLS, Ont. — Canopy Growth Corp. says its Ontario franchisee will open Tokyo Smoke cannabis stores in four malls. Canopy head of retail Lacey Norton says Katz Group will bring the Smiths Falls, Ont.

EDMONTON — CWB Financial Group beat expectations as it reported its third-quarter profit rose compared with a year ago, helped by revenue growth and lower provisions for bad loans.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Growth in U.S. consumer spending slowed in July to a modest increase of 0.3% while inflation over the past 12 months rose to the fastest pace in three decades. The July increase in spending was down sharply from a 1.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A grassroots group on Thursday recalled the centennial of a deadly fight to organize West Virginia coal miners in urging Sen. Joe Manchin to support higher wages and better voting protections.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,504.15, down 83.17 points.) Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Up 11 cents, or 0.47 per cent, to $23.65 on 22.6 million shares.

TORONTO — North American stock markets faltered on Thursday as investors held their breath for a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting Friday.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The coronavirus vaccine gave the live entertainment industry hope for a rebound in 2021. Now, as COVID-19 cases surge and hospital beds fill up, it feels like March 2020 all over again.

TORONTO — TD Bank Group shares closed down more than two per cent Thursday as the company reported a third quarter profit of $3.55 billion, up from $2.25 billion in the same quarter last year. Adjusted earnings of $1.