National Business

TORONTO — Shopify Inc. ceded its claim as the leading stock in Canada as the technology sector led North American stock markets lower after the U.S. Federal Reserve signalled it could be more aggressive in removing stimulus.

An intensifying labour shortage is rippling through the economy, forcing businesses to curtail operations, reduce hours and in some cases, euthanize livestock.

VICTORIA — Homeowners in British Columbia whose property is valued at just under $2 million will still be eligible for the annual homeowner grant. The provincial government announced Wednesday it has raised the grant threshold to $1.

VANCOUVER — Home sales in Metro Vancouver hit an all-time high last year spurred by changing housing needs during the pandemic, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says. The board says sales in 2021 rose 42.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Thousands of people have gathered in Las Vegas for a tech conference that’s been scaled back because of COVID-19 pandemic precautions.

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. new vehicle sales rebounded slightly last year from 2020's dismal numbers, but forecasters expect them to be more than 2 million below the years before the coronavirus pandemic.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (21,236.52, up 13.68 points.) The Toronto-Dominion Bank. (TSX:TD). Financials. Up $2.37, or 2.4 per cent, to $99.35 on 19.

TORONTO — The energy and financials sectors lifted Canada's main stock index to start 2022 on anticipation that the Omicron variant will carry less of a punch despite rising infections. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 13.

SASKATOON — The head of fertilizer giant Nutrien Ltd. has stepped down after less than nine months on the job.

TORONTO — Canadian defined-benefit pension plans are in stronger positions to withstand the potential challenges ahead from the Omicron variant after performing well in 2021, a pair of industry reports say.