National Business

OTTAWA — Canada's merchandise trade surplus increased to $1.4 billion in February as exports of gold hit an all-time high, Statistics Canada said Thursday. The agency said the result compared with a revised surplus of $608 million in January.

VANCOUVER — Police in West Vancouver say a “joyride” by a 13-year-old in a Lamborghini set off a single-vehicle crash that resulted in a total writeoff by the insurance company.

Ask Andy Kohlberg, one of the American owners of Spanish club Mallorca along with NBA greats Steve Kerr and Steve Nash, if he recommends soccer club-ownership in Europe, and he’ll give you a straight answer.

TORONTO — Over the last decade, Todd Cocks has turned a series of misfortunes into money in his wallet.

The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits rose to their highest level in two months last week, but layoffs remain at historically low levels as the labor market continues to chug along despite elevated interest rates.

CALGARY — To get an idea of the financial toll extreme weather is taking on this country's agriculture industry, look no further than the government of Saskatchewan's books.

HALIFAX — A weeks-long strike at a transshipment facility near Halifax is over after union members ratified a three-year collective agreement. More than 230 unionized workers at the CN Autoport facility in Eastern Passage, N.S.

BlackBerry Ltd. says it uncovered another US$55 million in cost savings in its latest quarter, when it reported a US$56 million loss. But chief financial officer Steve Rai says, "there's still more opportunities to be more efficient.

CALGARY — After four years and more than $34 billion in costs, the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion will go into commercial service on May 1.

INGONISH, N.S. — The historic main building at the Keltic Lodge at the Highlands golf resort in Cape Breton has closed, Parks Canada and GolfNorth Properties announced Wednesday.