National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index finished lower, driven partly by weakness in real estate stocks, as U.S. markets fell. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 15.88 points at 27,020.28.

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s NDP says the provincial government's failure to address the cost of living has made affordability in Halifax comparable to that in Toronto, and the party is calling for urgent action.

CALGARY — The premiers of Alberta and Ontario agreed Monday to a feasibility study of new pipelines and rail lines between provinces and pledged to increase interprovincial trade of alcohol and vehicles.

FREDERICTON — The owner of a New Brunswick vodka distillery says he anticipates competition to get tougher as the provincial government pursues new rules to remove trade barriers with the rest of Canada.

CALGARY — Alberta plans to hold public consultations this fall on adding nuclear power to the province's energy mix, Premier Danielle Smith said Monday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday set a 25% tax on goods imported from Japan and South Korea, as well as new tariff rates on Malaysia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Laos and Myanmar, all of which would go into effect on Aug. 1.

OTTAWA — The Conference Board of Canada expects wage hikes will pick up speed in the coming years as the pace of population growth slows down.

OTTAWA — The federal government and Canada's premiers are greatly overselling the benefits of breaking down internal trade barriers, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives argues in a new report.

Stocks fell on Wall Street as the Trump administration stepped up pressure on trading partners to make deals before punishing tariffs imposed by the U.S. take effect. The S&P 500 lost 0.8% Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gave back 0.

Ontario signed an agreement with Alberta to build infrastructure and energy corridors that include a possible railway to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region, the premiers of both provinces announced on Monday.