National Business

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is facing calls to cancel a speaking appearance with conservative media personality Ben Shapiro at an upcoming fundraiser for Florida-based PragerU.

SAGUENAY, Que. — It's difficult to drive along the snow-covered roads of Quebec's Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region without coming across trucks transporting freshly cut logs.

OTTAWA — Canadian communications technology firm Mitel Networks says it's seeking protection from creditors in the United States in order to strike US$1.15 billion in debt from its balance sheet.

CALGARY — Whitecap Resources Inc. and Veren Inc. are joining forces in a $15-billion dollar deal to create a major Canadian shale player that they say will stand stronger against political and market upheaval than if they were to each go it alone.

ST. JOHN'S — The head of Quebec's hydro utility was in Labrador on Monday to tour a massive hydroelectric plant at the heart of a draft energy deal touted as a new beginning in the fraught relationship between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.

TORONTO — Stock markets on both sides of the border took a steep tumble Monday as the reality of a U.S.

HALIFAX — China’s intent to slap 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian seafood products adds another layer of uncertainty to an industry already threatened by U.S. duties, say sector representatives in Atlantic Canada.

Trade uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs both real and threatened has rattled consumer confidence, to the point that volume growth at the Port of Vancouver will suffer, says its chief executive.

REGINA — Saskatchewan is getting about $700 million as part of a settlement that will see three big tobacco companies pay out billions in compensation to provinces, territories and former smokers across the country.

Average asking rents across Canada fell year-over-year for the fifth straight month in February to $2,088. A monthly report by Rentals.ca and Urbanation, which analyzes listings in the former's network, says rents declined 4.