National Business

OTTAWA — Canada's national annual inflation rate was 3.6 per cent in May, Statistics Canada says. Here's what happened in the provinces (previous month in brackets): — Newfoundland and Labrador: 4.4 per cent (4.3) — Prince Edward Island: 6.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says wholesale sales rose 0.4 per cent in April to $71.5 billion as sales of building materials and supplies rose to a new record. The agency says sales of building material and supplies were up 8.7 per cent at $13.

TORONTO — NorthWest Healthcare Properties Real Estate Investment Trust is raising its hostile takeover offer for Australian Unity Healthcare Property Trust. In what it is calling its best and final offer, the Toronto-based trust says it will pay A$2.

PARIS (AP) — France is lifting mandatory mask-wearing outdoors and will halt an eight-month nightly coronavirus curfew on June 20.

VICTORIA — Progressive easing of pandemic health restrictions in British Columbia are welcome steps to bring back normal life, but tourism and restaurant sector representatives say operators face daunting COVID-19 related barriers of worker shortages

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked Tuesday by a federal judge in Louisiana, who ordered that plans continue for lease sales that were delayed for the Gulf of Mexico

MONTREAL — DavidsTea started its fiscal year by swinging to a small profit despite seeing sales plunge 28 per cent. The beverage company says it earned $3.2 million or 12 cents per diluted share for the three months ended May 1.

TORONTO — VerticalScope Holdings Inc. began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange Tuesday after pricing its subordinate-voting shares at $22 per share.

Air Canada is vowing to fight a U.S. Department of Transportation move to seek a US$25.5-million penalty for "failing to provide consumers prompt refunds" after cancelling their flights amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,231.32, up 73.67 points.) Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ). Energy. Up 67 cents, or 1.47 per cent, to $46.20 on 22.