National Business

VANCOUVER — West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. president and CEO Sean McLaren said he expects the company will continue to experience unpredictable challenges such as inflation risks and labour constraints.

CHARLOTTETOWN — Canada’s smallest province is looking to boost its tourism profile by capitalizing on the popularity of the National Hockey League.

TORONTO — A decision on Air Canada's liability for what its chatbot said is a reminder of how companies need to be cautious when relying on artificial intelligence, experts say. The B.C.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks returned to record heights following some mixed reports on the economy. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% Thursday, surpassing the all-time high it set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.

TORONTO — The owner of the Tim Hortons and Burger King chains said it expects its quick-serve empire to span 40,000 restaurants and to achieve a collective US$60 billion in sales by 2028. Restaurant Brands International Inc.

OTTAWA — The annual pace of housing starts in January slowed by 10 per cent compared with December, as the rate of starts for new multi-unit projects such as apartments, condominiums and townhouses pulled back. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

OTTAWA — Canada's agriculture industry will have a domestic labour gap of more than 100,000 jobs by 2030, according to a new report.

VANCOUVER — A new report ahead of next week's B.C. budget is forecasting slower economic growth for the province this year.

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans pulled back their spending more than expected in January after the traditional holiday season splurge. Retail sales fell 0.8% in January from the strong pace in December when they rose a revised 0.

TORONTO — The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board says its fund earned a net return of 3.4 per cent in its latest quarter.