National Business

OTTAWA — The federal health minister has asked the Senate to move as quickly as possible to pass the government's pharmacare legislation so that Canadians can start accessing medications by next spring, he told reporters Wednesday.

CALGARY — It has been two weeks since a massive water pipe ruptured in Calgary, leaving residents under restrictions.

TORONTO — Deaths in Canada's 12 most populous cities go up during extreme heat waves and people aged 65 and older are at higher risk than those who are younger, says a Statistics Canada report released Wednesday.

Thousands of WestJet customers are scrambling after the airline cancelled more than 30 flights ahead of a possible strike by its plane mechanics this Thursday.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index closed down Wednesday in a broad-based decline on subdued trading while U.S. markets were closed. The S&P/TSX composite index closed 94.40 points lower at 21,516.90.

Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (21,516.90, down 94.40 points): Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (TSX:CNQ). Energy. Down 4 cents, or 0.09 per cent, to $47.23 on 9.

TORONTO — The head of one Canadian company fighting to bring safety to the online world says watch out for artificial intelligence because it's making hackers and scammers even better at targeting people.

TORONTO — Canadian consumers are increasingly expecting more when it comes to the quality of 5G performance and are placing blame on providers when an internet connection is spotty, a researcher says.

TORONTO — Binance Holdings Ltd. is appealing a $6-million fine imposed on the company by Fintrac, the federal anti-money laundering agency.

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada's governing council thought about waiting until July to lower interest rates but ultimately decided to cut earlier, the central bank's summary of deliberations reveals.