Economy, Law & Politics

OTTAWA — The federal health minister has asked the Senate to move as quickly as possible to pass the government's pharmacare legislation so that Canadians can start accessing medications by next spring, he told reporters Wednesday.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index closed down Wednesday in a broad-based decline on subdued trading while U.S. markets were closed. The S&P/TSX composite index closed 94.40 points lower at 21,516.90.

BC United has lost several high-profile candidates and members to the Conservatives recently, including MLAs Elenore Sturko and Lorne Doerkson.

VICTORIA — British Columbia's Medical Services Commission says it has reached an agreement with a Vancouver company over allegations that it was extra-billing for health care paid for by the public system. The commission filed a petition to B.C.

TORONTO — Binance Holdings Ltd. is appealing a $6-million fine imposed on the company by Fintrac, the federal anti-money laundering agency.

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada's governing council thought about waiting until July to lower interest rates but ultimately decided to cut earlier, the central bank's summary of deliberations reveals.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the country's population topped 41 million people in the first quarter of this year as it grew by 0.6 per cent.

MONTREAL — The Business Development Bank of Canada is committing $250 million to help Indigenous and Black-led businesses. The money comes as BDC also creates a new inclusive entrepreneurship team.

Immigrants from South Asia tend to report greater financial strain than those from China or the United States, Statistics Canada data show.

Sonia Furstenau says Greens still debating details of party election platform, but basic income proposal likely to target three vulnerable groups.