Thursday, December 25, 2025
ADVT 
National

Leave regulators to approve COVID tests: Freeland

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Sep, 2020 08:27 PM
  • Leave regulators to approve COVID tests: Freeland

Health Canada says it can't provide any information about the status of any of the rapid-testing devices for COVID-19 it is reviewing.

Pressure is mounting on the federal government to approve tests that can provide faster results as hospitals and public health agencies across Canada struggle to keep up with the demand for COVID-19 testing.

Deputy Conservative leader Candice Bergen says the government promised in March that getting rapid tests was a priority and yet half a year later, there are still none in use in Canada.

At least 14 such devices are under review by Health Canada but the department's spokesman says he cannot comment on the status of the applications during the scientific assessment process.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says it would be wrong for politicians to put pressure on Health Canada to approve any of the devices.

Several other countries have had some of the faster tests in use for months now, including Japan and the United States, but Health Minister Patty Hajdu said last week Canada is not yet convinced the technology is good enough.

MORE National ARTICLES

COVID app a help even in limited use: Tam

COVID app a help even in limited use: Tam
Answering criticism that the federal "COVID Alert" app only works on newer smartphones, Dr. Theresa Tam says it's one of many tools in fighting the novel coronavirus.

COVID app a help even in limited use: Tam

Evacuation alert for wildfire near Princeton, B.C.

Evacuation alert for wildfire near Princeton, B.C.
Residents of 43 properties in British Columbia's southern Interior have been told to be ready to leave on short notice as a wildfire flares nearby.

Evacuation alert for wildfire near Princeton, B.C.

Police identify human remains found in fire wreck

Police identify human remains found in fire wreck
Investigators have identified the remains found in a burned-out vehicle taken to a Burnaby, B.C., tow yard last week.

Police identify human remains found in fire wreck

Quebec police watchdog probes death of 29-year-old

Quebec police watchdog probes death of 29-year-old
Quebec's police watchdog is investigating the death of a 29-year-old man who allegedly fell from a balcony after he was arrested for shoplifting.

Quebec police watchdog probes death of 29-year-old

New EI-like benefit to replace CERB: PM

New EI-like benefit to replace CERB: PM
The federal government plans to move as many out-of-work Canadians into the employment insurance system when a key emergency benefit runs out in the fall, and provide an EI-like support for millions who can't qualify under existing rules.

New EI-like benefit to replace CERB: PM

Nightclub worker gets 8 years for sex assaults

Nightclub worker gets 8 years for sex assaults
A former Edmonton nightclub employee convicted of sexually assaulting five women has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Nightclub worker gets 8 years for sex assaults