National Business

VICTORIA — School's out indefinitely in British Columbia as the government said Tuesday it is also working on a plan to help businesses and workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TORONTO — Streaming platforms are joining Hollywood in throwing away the rule book in hopes to attract viewers stuck inside during the COVID-19 pandemic.

TORONTO — Canada's screen industry is facing significant production shutdowns due to COVID-19, and the country's entertainment unions are calling on the federal government to help their affected workers.

NEW YORK — Reflecting a hunger for information about the coronavirus outbreak, last Thursday's episode of ABC's “World News Tonight” had more viewers than anything that aired in television's prime time last week.

VANCOUVER — HSBC Bank Canada says it will lower its prime lending rate by 50 basis points effective tomorrow. The bank says in a statement the rate will be 2.95 per cent — down from 3.45 per cent.

WASHINGTON — Ahead of an expected surge in coronavirus cases, President Donald Trump on Tuesday moved to blunt the impact of the pandemic on the U.S. economy, fundamentally altered by a push for a nation to stay home.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (12,685.21, up 324.81 points.) Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B). Industrials. Down one cent, or 1.64 per cent, to 60 cents on 23.

CALGARY — The sale of Halifax-based Emera Inc.'s Maine power utility to City of Calgary-owned Enmax Corp. is expected to be finalized after winning approval from a key state regulator.

BERLIN — Mass disruptions cascaded around the world Tuesday as governments struggled to slow the spread of the coronavirus while also trying to keep their economies afloat.

CALGARY — More energy industry dividends are being slashed as investors turn their backs on companies whose payouts are now unaffordable with oil prices plunging to less than US$30 per barrel. Calgary-based TORC Oil & Gas Ltd.