Saturday, December 27, 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

Vancouver Police Report Substantial Increase In Replica Gun Seizures

Vancouver Police Report Substantial Increase In Replica Gun Seizures
Vancouver Police are reporting a large increase in the number of replica gun seizures in Vancouver and an increase in the frequency with which police encounter highly realistic replica firearms. “In the first six months of 2020, seizures of replica guns are up over 107 per cent, compared to the same time period in 2018.

Vancouver Police Report Substantial Increase In Replica Gun Seizures

No sign of payments for disabled Canadians

No sign of payments for disabled Canadians
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promise to provide a $600 payment to disabled Canadians to help with additional costs in the COVID-19 pandemic remains in limbo.

No sign of payments for disabled Canadians

BC Coroners Service investigates death of inmate

BC Coroners Service investigates death of inmate
The BC Coroners Service is investigating the death of an inmate at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre in Greater Victoria.

BC Coroners Service investigates death of inmate

Child-welfare reform needs provinces: Bellegarde

Child-welfare reform needs provinces: Bellegarde
National Chief Perry Bellegarde says provincial governments that want to cling to their jurisdiction over child welfare are the biggest barrier to implementing new legislation giving Indigenous communities control over their children's well-being.

Child-welfare reform needs provinces: Bellegarde

Charities say federal aid needed to survive

Charities say federal aid needed to survive
The federal Liberal government is facing growing calls to provide direct support to Canada's charity and non-profit sector as some of the country's best-known and largest organizations say they are struggling to survive because of COVID-19.

Charities say federal aid needed to survive

PBO costs basic income as calls for it grow

PBO costs basic income as calls for it grow
The parliamentary budget office says it could cost more than $98 billion to provide almost all Canadians with a basic income for six months beginning this fall.

PBO costs basic income as calls for it grow