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

China-Canada divide widens after Meng ruling, as Beijing denounces decision

China-Canada divide widens after Meng ruling, as Beijing denounces decision
The bitter political divide between Canada and China grew wider Wednesday after a British Columbia judge issued a ruling that went against the stern demands of the People's Republic.

China-Canada divide widens after Meng ruling, as Beijing denounces decision

B.C. reports no COVID-19 deaths, 11 new cases as restart enters second week

B.C. reports no COVID-19 deaths, 11 new cases as restart enters second week
British Columbia didn't report any new deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, but there have been 11 additional cases of the virus.

B.C. reports no COVID-19 deaths, 11 new cases as restart enters second week

Federal deficit likely now at $260 billion due to COVID-19, PBO says

Federal deficit likely now at $260 billion due to COVID-19, PBO says
Parliament's spending watchdog says the estimated deficit for the year has likely risen to about $260 billion, leaving the government with little fiscal firepower to stimulate an economic rebound.

Federal deficit likely now at $260 billion due to COVID-19, PBO says

Trudeau co-hosts UN COVID-19 conference as Canada continues Security Council bid

Trudeau co-hosts UN COVID-19 conference as Canada continues Security Council bid
Canada will co-host a major United Nations conference on dealing with the economic crisis spawned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trudeau co-hosts UN COVID-19 conference as Canada continues Security Council bid

Guns, drugs, cash seized in organized crime probe of Toronto area tow truck industry

Guns, drugs, cash seized in organized crime probe of Toronto area tow truck industry
Four alleged organized criminal organizations that operated as rival tow truck companies involved in a violent battle for territory in the Toronto area have been dismantled, police said Tuesday.

Guns, drugs, cash seized in organized crime probe of Toronto area tow truck industry

Military reports 39 cases of COVID-19 in members working in nursing homes

Military reports 39 cases of COVID-19 in members working in nursing homes
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Canadian military will keep assisting in nursing homes in Ontario and Quebec, though 39 members of the Canadian Forces have come down with COVID-19 while doing so.

Military reports 39 cases of COVID-19 in members working in nursing homes