Tuesday, December 30, 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

Human rights museum criticized, employees say work environment racist

Human rights museum criticized, employees say work environment racist
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will conduct an external review following social media posts alleging a racist and discriminatory work environment.

Human rights museum criticized, employees say work environment racist

Lululemon Q1 profit falls with many stores closed amid COVID-19 pandemic

Lululemon Q1 profit falls with many stores closed amid COVID-19 pandemic
Lululemon Athletica Inc. saw its profit fall in the most recent quarter as many of its stores were closed for a significant portion of the period. The Vancouver-based company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, says its net income for the first quarter totalled $28.6 million or 22 cents per diluted share.

Lululemon Q1 profit falls with many stores closed amid COVID-19 pandemic

A driver was arrested after fleeing from a stolen truck last week

A driver was arrested after fleeing from a stolen truck last week
Officers on patrol one afternoon last week noticed a truck ahead of them with licence plates for a car – not a truck. They believed it might be stolen, and tried to pull over the vehicle at W. 6th Avenue and Ash. The driver took off and they followed, but when he began driving dangerously, the officers backed off.

A driver was arrested after fleeing from a stolen truck last week

Surrey RCMP asking for the public's help in investigating a suspicious fire

Surrey RCMP asking for the public's help in investigating a suspicious fire
Surrey RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance with a suspicious fire investigation. The Surrey RCMP was called to a report of a suspicious vehicle fire in the 7500-block of 140 Street, during the night of June 7, 2020.

Surrey RCMP asking for the public's help in investigating a suspicious fire

Old photos surface on Instagram of a Fraser Valley school hosting 'SLAVE DAY'

Old photos surface on Instagram of a Fraser Valley school hosting 'SLAVE DAY'
Some controversial news out of Rosedale Middle School in the Fraser Valley that is being talked about on social media. The school hosted SLAVE DAY a decade ago and raised money.

Old photos surface on Instagram of a Fraser Valley school hosting 'SLAVE DAY'

Research finds sea otter comeback worth millions but not all benefit

Research finds sea otter comeback worth millions but not all benefit
The return of playful, popular sea otters to the Pacific shores of British Columbia is adding nearly $50 million a year to the province's economy despite its impact on valuable fisheries, says a study.

Research finds sea otter comeback worth millions but not all benefit