National Business

TORONTO — The weeks since Liam Mooney and Emma Cochrane dreamt up a viral hat meant to fend off any notion that Canada will be taken over by the U.S. has been more of a crash course in manufacturing than in politics.

VANCOUVER — The looming prospect of American tariffs raises the stakes for boosting the province's energy independence, British Columbia Energy Minister Adrian Dix said Thursday.

TOKYO (AP) — The Bank of Japan has raised its key interest rate to about 0.5% from 0.25%, noting that inflation is holding at a desirable target level.

VANCOUVER — Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has unveiled a plan to revitalize the city's troubled Downtown Eastside that includes pausing the construction of net new supportive housing units.

TORONTO — Premier Doug Ford plans to call a snap election next Wednesday and send Ontarians to the polls on Feb. 27, The Canadian Press has learned.

TORONTO — TD Bank Group says it's appointed Jacqueline Sanjuas as global head of financial crime risk management.

MONTREAL — Quebec’s maple syrup producers say they are worried their industry will take a big hit if U.S. President Donald Trump goes ahead with his threat to slap 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports on Feb. 1.

VICTORIA — The driver of a garbage truck in Victoria is being hailed for his quick thinking when he saw smoke coming from the back compartment.

WASHINGTON — Experts say U.S. President Donald Trump's push for the OPEC+ alliance of oil exporting countries to bring down the cost of oil conflicts with the Republican leader's own plans to make America energy-dominant.

OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will press Canada's case against damaging tariffs with the new U.S.