National Business

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Friday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (21,222.84, down 71.80 points.) Village Farms International Inc. (TSX:VFF). Consumer goods. Up seven cents, or 0.87 per cent, to $8.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index ended the year up almost 22 per cent for its second straight year of double-digit gains, even as it ended the last day of 2021 in the red. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 71.80 points at 21,222.

HALIFAX — Restaurants in Canada are once again scaling back New Year's Eve plans or shutting their doors altogether amid climbing COVID-19 cases and renewed public health measures across the country.

SUPERIOR, Colo. (AP) — At least 500 homes likely destroyed, no known deaths in wind-fueled wildfire outside Denver, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said Friday.

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has shortened the prison sentence of a truck driver convicted in a deadly crash to 10 years, drastically reducing his original 110-year term that drew widespread outrage.

MIAMI (AP) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people on Thursday not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of onboard outbreaks fueled by the omicron variant.

CALGARY — WestJet Airlines Ltd. is dealing with so many employees out sick with the Omicron variant that it is being forced to cut 15 per cent of its scheduled flights through to the end of January.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (21,294.64, down 50.01 points.) TC Energy Corp. (TSX:TRP). Energy. Down $1.54, or 2.5 per cent, to $58.87 on 11.1 million shares.

Canada's main stock index closed down slightly Thursday, snapping a five-day "Santa Claus rally" winning streak. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 50.01 points at 21,294.

TORONTO — Canada's largest retail industry group is applauding Ontario's decision to shorten the isolation period for fully vaccinated people who contract COVID-19 as the surging Omicron variant intensifies staffing shortages.