National Business

TORONTO — Centerra Gold Inc. is suspending open pit mining at its Oksut project in Turkey in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The suspension of work at the project starting March 31 is for an initial period of two weeks.

TORONTO — Nestle Canada is giving a temporary raise to its employees in its factories and distribution centres across the country as deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.

BEIJING — Asian stocks were mixed Thursday after Wall Street gained as U.S. lawmakers wrangled over a proposed $2 trillion virus aid package. Market benchmarks in Tokyo and Shanghai declined. Australia and Southeast Asian markets gained.

TORONTO — Ontario introduced a $17-billion package Wednesday to support the province through the COVID-19 outbreak, including an influx of cash for the health sector, direct payments to parents, and tax breaks for businesses.

Grocers and third-party services are seeing an influx in demand for delivery, resulting in longer-than-normal wait times as health and government authorities urge people to practice social distancing amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (13,139.28, up 568.15 points.) Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B). Industrials. Up six cents, or 13.64 per cent, to 50 cents on 28.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index posted its first back-to-back rally since the COVID-19 crisis began to hit stocks last month as stimulus measures appear set to become a reality in Canada and the U.S.

Some of Canada's food processors joined other companies in increasing pay for hourly staff working hard to ensure the country's food supply remains strong during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government is suspending evictions and offering a $500 monthly rebate to help renters and landlords during the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier John Horgan says the government is also imposing a freeze on rent increases.

TORONTO — Ontario introduced a $17-billion package Wednesday to provide COVID-19 relief.