National Business

TORONTO — Stock halts and trading platform outages disrupted markets as Canadian investors joined an internet-based frenzy and piled into stocks such as BlackBerry, GameStop and AMC Entertainment.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index posted its largest daily loss in three months midweek to wipe away the impressive gains that started 2021. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 354.98 points or two per cent to 17,424.

IQALUIT — There's a new language option on Microsoft's translation software, one spoken primarily by people in the largest territory in Canada.

Boeing closed out its worst year ever financially by losing $8.4 billion in the fourth quarter as the pandemic has undercut demand for planes, and the company announced another costly delay to its new large jetliner designed for long-haul flights.

CALGARY — Canada's oil and gas producers are expected to maintain spending discipline in 2021 as optimism from stronger oil prices is offset by fears of weak demand due to new strains of the COVID-19 pandemic.

EDMONTON — Alberta's health minister says the province is not looking to follow Manitoba and place new COVID-19 restrictions on interprovincial travellers.

Discount carrier Flair Airlines said Wednesday that it will add 13 new Boeing 737 Max aircraft to its fleet, as the plane returns to service worldwide following a nearly two-year grounding.

DETROIT — In about three years, Navistar plans to start selling low-emission hydrogen-powered heavy trucks under a partnership with General Motors and a small distribution company called OneH2.

STELLARTON, N.S. — Empire Co. Ltd. is expanding its discount grocery banner FreshCo in Western Canada and Ontario, with plans to convert seven of its Safeway stores starting this fall.

TORONTO — If you were on the lookout for a Greater Toronto Area condo or apartment to rent or own late last year, new data from the region’s real estate board shows you might have had an edge in negotiations.