Sunday, December 28, 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

Indigenous women's group wants RCMP action to end 'needless deaths'

Indigenous women's group wants RCMP action to end 'needless deaths'
A national group representing Indigenous women is urging the RCMP to quickly take steps — including equipping Mounties with body cameras — to end what it calls needless killing and assaults by police.

Indigenous women's group wants RCMP action to end 'needless deaths'

Two-thirds favour keeping two-metres physical distance: Leger poll

Two-thirds favour keeping two-metres physical distance: Leger poll
Two-thirds of Canadians don't want to relax physical distancing rules imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19, a new poll suggests.

Two-thirds favour keeping two-metres physical distance: Leger poll

Kim Baird to become KPU’s next chancellor

Kim Baird to become KPU’s next chancellor
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is honoured to welcome Kim Baird to the role of chancellor. Ms. Baird’s three-year term will begin on Oct. 5, 2020.

Kim Baird to become KPU’s next chancellor

Air quality improving in Metro Vancouver despite wildfire setbacks: report

Air quality improving in Metro Vancouver despite wildfire setbacks: report
Air quality in Metro Vancouver has been improving over the past decade, despite an unprecedented number of days that were under air quality advisories in 2017 and 2018.

Air quality improving in Metro Vancouver despite wildfire setbacks: report

B.C. government to release fiscal update on July 14 showing pandemic's impact

B.C. government to release fiscal update on July 14 showing pandemic's impact
The B.C. government will provide a financial update next month outlining the unprecedented economic challenge the province is enduring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

B.C. government to release fiscal update on July 14 showing pandemic's impact

Auditor General says she needs bigger funding boost due to pandemic demands

Auditor General says she needs bigger funding boost due to pandemic demands
Auditor general Karen Hogan said Monday the government needs to boost funding to her office because of the unprecedented demands of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Auditor General says she needs bigger funding boost due to pandemic demands