Thursday, January 1, 2026
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

Salmon expected to begin arriving soon at Fraser River landslide: DFO

Salmon expected to begin arriving soon at Fraser River landslide: DFO
Parts of a pneumatic fish pump dubbed the "salmon cannon" have arrived at the site of a massive landslide along British Columbia's Fraser River, where Fisheries and Oceans Canada expects some salmon to begin arriving soon.

Salmon expected to begin arriving soon at Fraser River landslide: DFO

Legal experts weigh in on Meng Wanzhou decision from B.C. Supreme Court

Legal experts weigh in on Meng Wanzhou decision from B.C. Supreme Court
A loss in court for Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou has prompted another round of legal arguments in her attempt to avoid extradition to the United States on fraud charges.

Legal experts weigh in on Meng Wanzhou decision from B.C. Supreme Court

Military has located wreckage of helicopter and remains in Mediterranean

Military has located wreckage of helicopter and remains in Mediterranean
The Canadian Armed Forces has located the remains of some of the military members who died last month when the helicopter they were in crashed in the Mediterranean.

Military has located wreckage of helicopter and remains in Mediterranean

Remains of woman missing since 2016 found in rural area near Abbotsford, B.C.

Remains of woman missing since 2016 found in rural area near Abbotsford, B.C.
Discovery of human remains on a rural property east of Vancouver has ended a search that began more than three years ago.

Remains of woman missing since 2016 found in rural area near Abbotsford, B.C.

Illicit-drug deaths up in B.C. and remain highest in Canada: chief coroner

Illicit-drug deaths up in B.C. and remain highest in Canada: chief coroner
British Columbia's overdose deaths spiked in March and April reaching the same heights recorded over a year earlier.

Illicit-drug deaths up in B.C. and remain highest in Canada: chief coroner

Horgan does likes idea of NHL playoffs in Vancouver, but won't bend the rules

Horgan does likes idea of NHL playoffs in Vancouver, but won't bend the rules
Premier John Horgan says the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging the province's social and economic foundations but people in B.C. are perservering in what will likely be an extended emergency period.

Horgan does likes idea of NHL playoffs in Vancouver, but won't bend the rules