Friday, June 5, 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

Guy Laliberte wants to buy back Cirque du soleil, keep headquarters in Montreal

Guy Laliberte wants to buy back Cirque du soleil, keep headquarters in Montreal
Cirque du soleil founder Guy Laliberte says he wants to buy back the internationally celebrated circus company he created more than 35 years ago.

Guy Laliberte wants to buy back Cirque du soleil, keep headquarters in Montreal

N.S. RCMP use warrants to find killer's cellphone, computer and other devices

N.S. RCMP use warrants to find killer's cellphone, computer and other devices
As police continue their investigation into a mass killing that claimed 22 lives last month in rural Nova Scotia, newly released documents reveal the RCMP recently seized and searched the killer's computer, cellphone, tablet and navigation devices.

N.S. RCMP use warrants to find killer's cellphone, computer and other devices

Payments for CERB top $40 billion as feds open doors for commercial rent help

Payments for CERB top $40 billion as feds open doors for commercial rent help
A key federal benefit for Canadians out of work, or seeing large drops in their earnings, in the COVID-19 pandemic has paid out over $40 billion in emergency aid.

Payments for CERB top $40 billion as feds open doors for commercial rent help

B.C. needs change to keep cyber threats out of its election process: report

B.C. needs change to keep cyber threats out of its election process: report
British Columbia's chief electoral officer is recommending the government make several changes to protect the provincial electoral process from foreign interference, misleading advertising and impersonation.

B.C. needs change to keep cyber threats out of its election process: report

Charges laid in pipeline protest outside B.C. Premier John Horgan's home

Charges laid in pipeline protest outside B.C. Premier John Horgan's home
The BC Prosecution Service says it has appointed a special prosecutor to oversee charges against three people in relation to allegations of mischief and trespass at the home of Premier John Horgan.

Charges laid in pipeline protest outside B.C. Premier John Horgan's home

Online games could be source of money laundering, B.C. public inquiry hears

Online games could be source of money laundering, B.C. public inquiry hears
A public inquiry into money laundering in British Columbia has heard that cash is still king but cryptocurrencies and other virtual trade could rise as a trend.

Online games could be source of money laundering, B.C. public inquiry hears