Tuesday, June 9, 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

Across Lower Mainland, Police Still Operating But With Some Partial Service Closures During COVID-19

Across Lower Mainland, Police Still Operating But With Some Partial Service Closures During COVID-19
Our officers will continue to work from the Community Police Offices, prepared to respond to calls for service.    

Across Lower Mainland, Police Still Operating But With Some Partial Service Closures During COVID-19

Vancouver Police Investigating After Elderly Pedestrian Hit, Killed In Kerrisdale

Vancouver Police Investigating After Elderly Pedestrian Hit, Killed In Kerrisdale
Vancouver Police are investigating the city’s third pedestrian fatality of the year after an 85-year-old Vancouver man died last week after being struck by a vehicle earlier this month.

Vancouver Police Investigating After Elderly Pedestrian Hit, Killed In Kerrisdale

WestJet To Suspend International And Transborder Flights For 30 Days

WestJet To Suspend International And Transborder Flights For 30 Days
WestJet says it is suspending all commercial international and transborder flights for a 30-day period to help control the spread of COVID-19, effective March 23.

WestJet To Suspend International And Transborder Flights For 30 Days

LNG Canada, Whistler-Blackcomb Among B.C. Businesses Hit By COVID-19 Fallout

LNG Canada, Whistler-Blackcomb Among B.C. Businesses Hit By COVID-19 Fallout
LNG Canada is cutting its workforce in half over the next several days on the construction of a new plant in Kitimat, B.C., to help local communities deal with COVID-19.

LNG Canada, Whistler-Blackcomb Among B.C. Businesses Hit By COVID-19 Fallout

BC Suspends Kindergarten To Grade 12 Classes In The Province Indefinitely Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic

BC Suspends Kindergarten To Grade 12 Classes In The Province Indefinitely Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic
All B.C. public schools will be closed for now over COVID-19 concerns

BC Suspends Kindergarten To Grade 12 Classes In The Province Indefinitely Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic

HAVE YOU SEEN HIM: Surrey RCMP Looking For High Risk Missing 86-Year-Old GURNAM CHEEMA

Cheema is described as an 86-year-old south Asian male, 5’6”, heavy build, with short white trimmed beard and brown eyes.

HAVE YOU SEEN HIM: Surrey RCMP Looking For High Risk Missing 86-Year-Old GURNAM CHEEMA