National Business

OTTAWA — Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland drew a direct link between Canada’s economic and national security on Thursday, as she defended her government’s decision to declare a public order emergency to end the "Freedom Convoy" protests.

OTTAWA — The full effects of interest rate hikes have yet to be felt — and will be "even more powerful" than many anticipate, said former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz Thursday in a speech about ways Canada can chart a path toward economic gr

TORONTO — More consumer protection is needed as new entrants in the fast-growing payments space get ahead of regulation, the head of the Canadian Bankers Association said.

TORONTO — Manulife Financial Corp. is eliminating about 50 jobs as it makes changes to its real estate operations. The company says it is changing its real estate operating model in Canada and its regional coverage strategy in North America.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the number of job vacancies was up 3.8 per cent in September at 994,800. The agency says the month-over-month increase was largely attributable to seasonal variations, as job vacancies typically peak in September.

BRUSSELS (AP) — On winter's doorstep, European Union nations again failed to bridge bitter disagreements over a natural gas price cap Thursday as they struggle to effectively shield 450 million citizens from massive increases in their utility bills .

Lee Nisar has racked up about $50,000 in student loans. "I avoid looking at my student loan account for my own well-being most of the time," said Nisar, who is a master's student at Toronto Metropolitan University.

HALIFAX — An affordable energy advocate says the imposition of consumer carbon pricing in Nova Scotia is a good idea, but adds that rising energy costs continue to pose problems for people with lower incomes.

Annie Titheridge's plan is to arrive at the mall before it opens, buy gifts for everyone on her list and beat the afternoon rush-hour traffic home.

CHESAPEAKE, Va.