The Briefs: Economic growth picks up in Canada and the U.S.; Canada's banks set aside more money for bad loans; As rents hit record levels, more homeowners feel stress; $1.2 B for universities in Ontario, with new freezes on tuition hikes; Warren Buffett's company could be first non-tech firm to hit $1 trillion value.

A new pharmacare deal is on the table - can Canada afford a full-blown version?

How are consumers spending?: By the Numbers

The gap between rich and poor gets wider.