Saturday, June 6, 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

Pandemic prompts Vancouver Airport Authority to lay off workers

Pandemic prompts Vancouver Airport Authority to lay off workers
The Vancouver Airport Authority says it has issued layoff notices to 25 per cent of its nearly 550-person workforce, including both management and union employees.

Pandemic prompts Vancouver Airport Authority to lay off workers

Victoria mayor says city prepares to create open spaces for restaurant recovery

Victoria mayor says city prepares to create open spaces for restaurant recovery
Victoria's mayor says she wants to give the city's restaurants, pubs and retailers more space to reopen successfully with a plan that could expand outdoor patios to sidewalks, parking lots and streets closed to traffic.

Victoria mayor says city prepares to create open spaces for restaurant recovery

Vancouver police officers and police dog injured during attempted theft of police vehicle

Vancouver police officers and police dog injured during attempted theft of police vehicle
Vancouver Police officers along with a VPD Canine unit were assaulted after responding to reports of a man attempting to steal a marked police vehicle from the City of Vancouver National Yards.

Vancouver police officers and police dog injured during attempted theft of police vehicle

Tips from the public lead to drug bust in South Surrey

Tips from the public lead to drug bust in South Surrey
Suspected drug trafficking at a South Surrey residence has been quashed thanks to tips from the public. RCMP began an investigation after being tipped off on a possible illegal cannabis store operating at a residence in the 16400-block of 24A Avenue.

Tips from the public lead to drug bust in South Surrey

BC Hydro makes plans as power demand plummets due to COVID-19 pandemic

BC Hydro makes plans as power demand plummets due to COVID-19 pandemic
The spring runoff and an "unprecedented" drop in the demand for electricity because of COVID-19 is forcing BC Hydro to shut down some of its operations and spill water from its dams.

BC Hydro makes plans as power demand plummets due to COVID-19 pandemic

Warm weekend melts temperature records in B.C.

Warm weekend melts temperature records in B.C.
British Columbia enjoyed record-breaking heat over the weekend. Environment Canada says preliminary data shows 17 heat records were set in B.C. on Sunday, including a temperature of 29.1 C in White Rock, smashing the old record of 26.7 C set 79 years ago.

Warm weekend melts temperature records in B.C.