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

Experts say not enough proof expensive body cameras will reduce police violence

Experts say not enough proof expensive body cameras will reduce police violence
Ottawa is considering outfitting Canadian police with cameras following protests against violence by some officers, but experts say there is not enough proof the expensive technology is effective.

Experts say not enough proof expensive body cameras will reduce police violence

Pursue Iran in international court over shootdown: victims' family spokesman

Pursue Iran in international court over shootdown: victims' family spokesman
A Canadian spokesman for families and loved ones who were killed in Iran's Jan. 8 shootdown of a Ukrainian airliner says the regime is waging psychological warfare against them by refusing to release its flight recorders.

Pursue Iran in international court over shootdown: victims' family spokesman

A look at COVID-19 cases for US, India, and BC

A look at COVID-19 cases for US, India, and BC
COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the US and India but the numbers for BC are being tackled. BC Health Minister Adrian Dix worried about the jump in cases in certain US states. 

A look at COVID-19 cases for US, India, and BC

Sex assault, luring charges approved after girl alleges attack in Burnaby, B.C.

Sex assault, luring charges approved after girl alleges attack in Burnaby, B.C.
Charges have been laid against a man from Burnaby, B.C., after the RCMP investigated an alleged sexual assault of a child. The RCMP say a girl, whose age has not been released, and her mother reported the allegations to police on May 7.

Sex assault, luring charges approved after girl alleges attack in Burnaby, B.C.

Online portal to connect buyers and sellers of COVID-19 supplies launched

Online portal to connect buyers and sellers of COVID-19 supplies launched
The federal government is launching a web-based portal to help connect buyers and sellers of protective equipment used to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Online portal to connect buyers and sellers of COVID-19 supplies launched

Technical hiccup interrupts Supreme Court as virtual hearing gets underway

Technical hiccup interrupts Supreme Court as virtual hearing gets underway
It seems even Canada's top court isn't immune to the digital gremlins that meddle with online meetings. The Supreme Court of Canada plunged into the world of virtual video hearings Tuesday afternoon to keep the wheels of justice grinding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Technical hiccup interrupts Supreme Court as virtual hearing gets underway