National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve officials at their meeting Dec.

TORONTO — Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's escalating rhetoric around implementing tariffs on Canadian products are sparking worry and disbelief, though some of the companies potentially most affected are staying quiet.

The new year is off to a rough start for Canada's retail industry, with two companies seeking creditor protection and closing stores while they consider how to move forward Comark Holdings Inc.

MOOSOMIN, Sask. — An official with a town in southeastern Saskatchewan says its plan to offer $30,000 cheques to anyone building homes in the community is paying off.

MONTREAL — Quebec electric-vehicle maker Lion Electric Co. wants to focus on building school buses rather than trucks as part of a restructuring plan that would return all manufacturing operations to the province.

MONTREAL — The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers says Montreal-area home sales continued climbing in December, with 54.1 per cent more properties changing hands compared with the same month a year earlier.

BOWMANVILLE, Ont. — Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pitching U.S.

LANGFORD, B.C. — Mounties in British Columbia say officers have seized more than $1.7 million worth of contraband tobacco after executing a search warrant at a property in Langford.

TORONTO — Strength in technology stocks helped lift Canada's main stock index in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets headed lower. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 25.66 points at 24,955.55.

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Ski patrollers at the biggest U.S. ski resort have reached a deal with Utah's Park City Mountain Resort to end a strike that put a wrench in operations during the busy holiday season and into the new year.