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OTTAWA — Bureaucracy makes it too difficult for Canadian tech companies to sell to government, a new report from an industry group says — and all that red tape is keeping them from a bigger piece of the billions spent on procurement.

Canadians are continuing to be laid off as part of a wave of job cuts that began in 2023 as companies assessed their operations after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic passed.

Australian lithium company Winsome Resources has signed a call option agreement that will allow it to buy the Renard diamond mine in northern Quebec and its associated infrastructure for $52 million.

TORONTO — Indigo Books & Music Inc. has agreed to be taken private after agreeing to a sweetened offer from a holding company connected to its largest shareholder. The retailer says its agreement will see Trilogy Retail Holdings Inc.

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today...

Forty years after he invented them, Joe Flaherty's characters can still raise a smirk, and often more, from Canadians of a certain age.

CALGARY — Persistent drought conditions are poised to challenge natural gas producers even as they aim to ramp up in anticipation of Canada's first liquefied natural gas export terminal opening, a new report warns.

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Easton Armstrong completed his hat trick with the game-winning goal 23 seconds into overtime, lifting the Saskatoon Blades past the Prince Albert Raiders 4-3 on Tuesday in Western Hockey League playoff action.

CALGARY — Big nights from Alex Killorn, Troy Terry and Olen Zellweger helped Anaheim close a tough road trip on a high note Tuesday.

FLINT, Mich. — Landon Sim scored the game-winning goal at 11:59 of overtime on Tuesday, lifting the London Knights to a 4-3 win and 3-0 series lead over the Flint Firebirds in Ontario Hockey League playoff action.