Economy, Law & Politics

VANCOUVER — B.C. Conservatives Leader John Rustad says it will be up to voters to judge his party's candidates as he stood by a pair whose remarks on Indigenous and Muslim people drew condemnation from election rivals and other critics.

North American stock markets hit record highs again Friday as strong earnings from some of the big U.S. banks painted a picture of an economy that is still humming. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 168.91 points at 24,471.

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday provinces and territories need to start negotiating pharmacare deals as soon as possible, a day after legislation to enact the program received royal assent.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks closed at more all-time highs as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and other big financial companies rallied following better-than-expected profit reports. The S&P 500 rose 0.

The Bank of Canada says consumers were less pessimistic about their finances as summer wound down but are still not upbeat about the situation.

Finance and part-time work drive losses in September as provincial unemployment rate climbs.

BIV C-Suite Awards: Leadership at Central 1 informed by years of C-suite experience

Brent Chapman unloaded some vicious remarks about Palestinians and Muslims 10 years ago.