National Business

OTTAWA — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the annual pace of housing starts climbed 13 per cent in February.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian fighter jet struck the propeller of a U.S. surveillance drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday in a “brazen violation of international law,” causing American forces to bring down the unmanned aerial vehicle, the U.S. said.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — The Air Canada Pilots Association says it has reached an agreement in principle on a possible merger with the Air Line Pilots Association -- the largest airline pilot union in the world.

VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government says it's rolling out a new framework for approving oil and gas projects that will ensure the province meets its emissions targets in the coming decades.

VICTORIA — The Haisla First Nation on British Columbia's northern coast has been granted a provincial environmental assessment certificate for a floating liquefied natural gas facility. The B.C.

MONTREAL — Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said Tuesday the federal government will close a loophole that allows airlines to deny customers compensation for cancelled flights.

MONTREAL — The leasing company that seized four planes from Flair Airlines over the weekend said Tuesday the carrier routinely missed payments over the past five months.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (19,694.16, up 105.26): Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (TSX:CNR). Energy. Down $1.51, or 2.02 per cent, to $73.23 on 19.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index was up in late-morning trading, led higher by broad gains across all sectors, while U.S. stock markets were also up.

VANCOUVER — Shareholders of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc. approved the company’s deal to buy U.S. automotive salvage company IAA Inc. at a meeting Tuesday, the company said in a press release.