National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — America's unemployment rate tumbled last month to its lowest point since the pandemic struck, even as employers appeared to slow their hiring — a mixed picture that pointed to a resilient economy that's putting more people to work.

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. says it aims to reopen its network in southern British Columbia this weekend after another bout of rain and wind prompted a second shutdown.

TORONTO — The Greater Toronto Area's heated real estate market further intensified last month as home sales topped a November record and average selling prices reached a new all-time high.

TORONTO — BMO Financial Group wrapped the week of Big Six financial results by announcing the biggest dividend raise and share buyback plan of all the banks as it reported earnings that were boosted in part by efficiency gains.

FREDERICTON — Officials from Canada and the United States were scheduled to meet Friday to discuss the suspension of exports of Prince Edward Island potatoes south of the border — a trade order that is impacting potato prices in both countries.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Growth in the services sector, where most Americans work, hit an all-time high in November, overtaking a record that was set the previous month.

CALGARY — AltaGas Ltd. says it is raising its dividend six per cent for next year and moving to a quarterly payment schedule from monthly payments to shareholders. The company says it will pay a quarterly dividend of 26.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — France announced multibillion-euro deals Friday to sell fighter planes and combat helicopters to the United Arab Emirates, aiming to boost military cooperation with its top ally in the Persian Gulf amid their shared

OTTAWA — The national unemployment rate was 6.0 per cent in November. Statistics Canada also released seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average unemployment rates for major cities.

OTTAWA — Canada's national unemployment rate was 6.0 per cent in November. Here are the jobless rates last month by province (numbers from the previous month in brackets): _ Newfoundland and Labrador 10.4 per cent (13.9) _ Prince Edward Island 8.