National Business

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 1.1 per cent to $51.3 billion in March boosted by higher sales at gas stations and sellers of building materials, garden equipment and supplies. Economists had expected an increase of 1.

MONTREAL — Aimia Inc. says it will buy back 22.9 per cent of its outstanding shares at a price of $4.30 each under a plan announced last month. The loyalty rewards company says it will buy back roughly 34.

SMITHS FALLS, Ont. — Canopy Growth Corp. has signed a deal to buy skin-care company This Works for $73.8 million in cash.

TORONTO — Barrick Gold Corp. has made a proposal to acquire the shares in Acacia Mining that it does not already own. Under the proposal, Barrick, which holds a majority stake in the African gold miner, would swap 0.

LONDON — British Steel has been ordered into compulsory liquidation after talks with the government failed to secure a bailout, Britain's Insolvency Service said Wednesday.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California sued Tuesday to block the Trump administration from cancelling nearly $1 billion for the state's high-speed rail project, escalating the state's feud with the federal government.

TORONTO — First Cobalt Corp. says it has struck a partnership with commodities giant Glencore AG for the development of its cobalt refinery in Ontario.

Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (16,426.47, up 24.72 points ). Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX:AVL). Materials. Up five cents, or 111.1 per cent, to 9.5 cents on 9.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index failed to match the stronger gains on U.S. markets after the Trump administration temporarily eased trade restrictions on Huawei Technologies. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 24.72 points to 16,426.47.

FREDERICTON — What a difference a week makes — at least when it comes to employee and management bonuses at NB Liquor.