National Business

MONTREAL — The Quebec Superior Court has ruled against a real estate development company that wanted the heritage status removed from First World War fortifications overlooking the St. Lawrence River east of Quebec City.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index edged higher Thursday, as strength in base metal stocks helped outweigh weakness in telecom and utilities. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 21.68 points at 25,073.36. Canadian markets were quiet as U.S.

Aritzia Inc. says its net income jumped by almost 72 per cent over the last year as the company's ecommerce revenues soared. The Vancouver-based apparel retailer says its third-quarter net income totalled $74.1 million compared with about $43.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote Thursday night at the legislature in St. John's, N.L.

Eight people, two dogs and a cat found refuge in George Stroumboulopoulos's Los Angeles home as wildfires raged through parts of the city, fuelled by ferocious Santa Ana winds.

OTTAWA — Canada is looking to target American steel, ceramics, plastics and orange juice with retaliatory tariffs in response to threats of hefty duties on Canadian imports by the incoming Trump administration.

TORONTO — Average asking rents fell nationally to $2,109 in December on a year-over-year basis, marking a 17-month low, according to a new report. A monthly report from Rentals.ca and Urbanation says average asking rents across Canada were down 3.

MONTREAL — A Montreal man has been sentenced to 40 months in prison by a United States federal court for running a scheme to illegally export millions of dollars' worth of electronic components to Russia for military use.

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is spending $17 million in a bid to create more aerospace jobs and training opportunities. The money includes an $8-million grant and a $9-million loan, to be repaid over 12 years, to Magellan Aerospace.

The owner of Toys “R” Us Canada and HMV announced Thursday that it has purchased women's clothing retailer Northern Reflections Limited.