National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index retreated from its all-time high on Wednesday, weighed down by telecom, industrial and utilities stocks, while U.S. markets drifted higher.

HALIFAX — About half of the 7,020 households on Nova Scotia's wait-list for public housing are composed of seniors, the deputy minister of housing said Wednesday, a number the opposition said should make the government feel ashamed.

CALGARY — The coming boom in artificial intelligence represents both a threat and an opportunity for the clean energy transition, market experts suggest.

A First Nation in southwestern Ontario has recommended some residents evacuate, citing the risk of elevated levels of a toxic chemical being removed from a neighboring Sarnia plastics plant.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed close near their record levels. The S&P 500 ended little changed Wednesday, a day after sliding from its record on worries about a possible widening of the fighting in the Middle East.

MONTREAL — Swedish private equity firm Altor has signed a deal to buy CCM Hockey, as the two companies eye new demographics and try to build out the global market share of Canada's oldest hockey equipment maker.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday that it would ban the import of goods from a Chinese steel manufacturer and a Chinese maker of artificial sweetener, accusing both of being involved in the use of forced labor

EDMONTON — Albertans won't be able to buy alcohol from grocery and convenience stores after all.

TORONTO — BMO Financial Group says it has named Kristin Milchanowski to the newly created role of chief artificial intelligence and data officer.

VANCOUVER — Vancouver-area home sales dropped 3.8 per cent in September compared with the same month last year, while listings grew to put modest pressure on pricing, said Greater Vancouver Realtors on Wednesday.