Monday, June 8, 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

Nova Scotia Declares State Of Emergency To Deal With COVID-19 Cases

Nova Scotia Declares State Of Emergency To Deal With COVID-19 Cases
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has declared a provincial state of emergency because he says some people are blatantly ignoring requirements for social distancing and self-isolation during the COVID-19 outbreak.    

Nova Scotia Declares State Of Emergency To Deal With COVID-19 Cases

Feds Launch Ad Campaign Urging Social Distancing, Hygiene During COVID-19 Crisis

OTTAWA - The federal government is launching a $30-million national ad campaign Monday to urge every Canadian to do their bit to help prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.    

Feds Launch Ad Campaign Urging Social Distancing, Hygiene During COVID-19 Crisis

A New Breed Of Celebrity In The Age Of COVID-19: The Chief Medical Officer

Day after day, premiers have announced new restrictions on Canadians' civil liberties that they say are critical to limiting the spread of COVID-19.    

A New Breed Of Celebrity In The Age Of COVID-19: The Chief Medical Officer

Military Says No Link Between Military Vehicle Movement And Covid Crisis: Armed Forces

OTTAWA - The Canadian Armed Forces says there is no link between the movement of dozens of military trucks and armoured vehicles over the weekend and COVID-19.

Military Says No Link Between Military Vehicle Movement And Covid Crisis: Armed Forces

PM Announces New Flights To Peru, Americas To Repatriate Stranded Canadians

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is announcing multiple new flights to bring stranded Canadians home from abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    

PM Announces New Flights To Peru, Americas To Repatriate Stranded Canadians

Ottawa Opens COVID-19 Isolation And Treatment Centre For Homeless

OTTAWA - A local recreation centre in Ottawa has become an isolation and treatment centre for homeless people with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.    

Ottawa Opens COVID-19 Isolation And Treatment Centre For Homeless