National Business

OTTAWA — Defence Minister Anita Anand is dismissing opposition concerns about millions of dollars in contracts between her department and McKinsey & Company, saying the company's work was "not a matter of state secrets.

TORONTO — The number of businesses owned by women is on the rise in Canada, but female entrepreneurs still disproportionately face barriers such as lack of access to capital from financial institutions, according to a new study.

REGINA — A women's organization is asking Regina's tourism agency for another rebrand after the city used slogans criticized for having sexual overtones.

VANCOUVER — Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc. announced it has closed its acquisition of U.S. firm IAA Inc. after a contentious few months that saw shareholders divided over the deal.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (19,519.43, up 131.71): Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Up $1.07, or 2.71 per cent, to $40.61 on 13 million shares.

MONTREAL — The number of air passenger complaints to Canada's transport regulator has more than tripled over the past year, soaring past 42,000 as of this month.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index began the week by posting a gain of more than 130 points, fuelled by strength in energy stocks, while U.S. markets also rose. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 131.71 points at 19,519.43.

A deadly fire that swept through a building in Old Montreal on Thursday where several apartments were being used as Airbnb units is raising safety concerns about short-term rental properties.

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the Kremlin on Monday, sending a powerful message to Western leaders that their efforts to isolate Moscow over the fighting in Ukraine have fallen short.

OSHAWA, Ont. — Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland outlined some of the key government spending priorities as she kicked a week of pre-budget events. Speaking to a group of electrician students at a union training centre in Oshawa, Ont.