alberta-oil-0731-ph Employees torque a pipe at a wedge well in Alberta. The oil and gas sector helped drive gross domestic product gains in May. (Credit: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg)

It’s Friday, July 31. Here are the top stories we’re following today.

Canada’s GDP beats expectations as second quarter rebound gathers steam

Canada’s real gross domestic product grew by 0.3 per cent in May and early estimates show the economy expanded again in June, as a second quarter rebound gained steam.

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The cost to build the Crawford mine would be about US$2 billion, but Canada Nickel Company Inc. will have to raise US$2.5 billion to cover interests and other aspects. The cost to build the Crawford mine would be about US$2 billion, but Canada Nickel Company Inc. will have to raise US$2.5 billion to cover interests and other aspects.

Ottawa approves Ontario nickel mine that could be western world’s largest

Ottawa has approved the construction of a mine in Ontario that’s expected to be the largest nickel sulphide operation in the west, a key metal that’s used to build stainless steel and batteries of electric vehicles.

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A pumpjack works in the foreground with a drilling rig in the back. Some oil and gas companies are investing in new projects to expand production. A pumpjack works in the foreground with a drilling rig in the back. Some oil and gas companies are investing in new projects to expand production.

‘Excitement over growth again’: A shift in Canada’s oilpatch as some players eye expansion

After reporting billions of dollars in profits, some Canadian energy producers expect to return excess cash to the business by investing in new production — a sharp change from more than a decade of restraint.

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A house that's been sold in London, Ont. A house that’s been sold in London, Ont.

Why so many borrowers are ignoring rate hike risk

Markets are pricing a 70 per cent chance of the Bank of Canada rate hike landing by December, but it’s not doing anything to stop borrowers from playing variable-rate roulette, writes Robert McLister.

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The Braidwood Generating Station nuclear power plant in Braceville, Illinois, contains two Westinghouse reactors. The Braidwood Generating Station nuclear power plant in Braceville, Illinois, contains two Westinghouse reactors.

Cameco’s Westinghouse files for IPO amid nuclear energy boom

Saskatoon-headquartered Cameco Corp. has taken the first steps to making its American nuclear power subsidiary a listed company on the U.S. stock market.

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