National Business

TORONTO — DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. says March auto sales were up 9.2 per cent from last year, but it marks a slowdown from a record February gain.

OTTAWA — Bureaucracy makes it too difficult for Canadian tech companies to sell to government, a new report from an industry group says — and all that red tape is keeping them from a bigger piece of the billions spent on procurement.

Canadians are continuing to be laid off as part of a wave of job cuts that began in 2023 as companies assessed their operations after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic passed.

Australian lithium company Winsome Resources has signed a call option agreement that will allow it to buy the Renard diamond mine in northern Quebec and its associated infrastructure for $52 million.

TORONTO — Indigo Books & Music Inc. has agreed to be taken private after agreeing to a sweetened offer from a holding company connected to its largest shareholder. The retailer says its agreement will see Trilogy Retail Holdings Inc.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The inflation that has squeezed European shoppers fell more than expected in March to 2.4%, as cost spikes in the grocery aisle eased and overall price rises headed down in the two biggest economies, Germany and France.

CALGARY — Persistent drought conditions are poised to challenge natural gas producers even as they aim to ramp up in anticipation of Canada's first liquefied natural gas export terminal opening, a new report warns.

VANCOUVER — West Fraser Timber Co. and Mercer International Inc. are dissolving their 50/50 joint venture in Cariboo Pulp and Paper. Vancouver-based West Fraser will be the sole owner and operator of the mill.

TORONTO — Bell Media president Sean Cohan says recent layoffs and programming cuts are something he doesn’t take lightly, but were necessary to accelerate the company’s goals in the digital media landscape.

MONTREAL — Driving a taxi was not how Jean-Pierre Derival planned to spend his golden years.