National Business

SEATTLE — A Seattle-based cruise line has sold four ships in its fleet as the coronavirus pandemic has halted operations and subsequently slowed businesses that rely on incoming traffic from the industry.

TORONTO — A group of Canadian artists, writers, technicians and performers is calling on Ottawa to guarantee a basic income for anyone in need.

MONTREAL — A takeover proposal from the Cirque du Soleil's secured creditors has been approved as the benchmark bid for a court-supervised auction of the insolvent entertainment company.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve has opened one of its lending programs to non-profit groups, including hospitals, educational institutions, and social service organizations.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Construction of U.S. homes jumped 17.3% in June as some states reopened, but the pace still lags last year after this spring's massive slowdown in building activity due to the coronavirus outbreak.

OTTAWA — Wholesale sales in Canada ticked higher in May after posting a record plunge in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Statistics Canada said Friday. The government agency said wholesale sales rose 5.7 per cent to $52.

TORONTO — Cineplex Inc. says it is laying off more than 130 workers as the company continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and a takeover deal that has turned litigious. The Toronto-based theatre chain says workers in Canada and the U.S.

CALGARY — Despite negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on production and costs, rising prices for gold are expected to buoy results as Canada's precious metals miners begin rolling out second-quarter financial results next week.

CALGARY — Rising prices for gold are expected to buoy results as Canada's precious metals miners begin rolling out second-quarter financial results next week.

VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier John Horgan says he's proud that a national sick leave program has been announced as part of $19 billion in federal funding to support the provinces and territories during the COVID-19 pandemic.