Thursday, June 11, 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

Alek Minassian Admits To Planning, Carrying Out Toronto Van Attack

Alek Minassian Admits To Planning, Carrying Out Toronto Van Attack
TORONTO - A man who killed 10 people when he drove a van into crowds of pedestrians on a busy Toronto sidewalk in 2018 has admitted to planning and carrying out the attack, court heard Thursday.

Alek Minassian Admits To Planning, Carrying Out Toronto Van Attack

Starbucks, Second Cup Halt Use Of Reusable Cups Amid Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

Two major coffee chains have stopped serving coffee in reusable cups brought by customers amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.    

Starbucks, Second Cup Halt Use Of Reusable Cups Amid Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

Lush Cosmetics Calls For End To Safe Third Country Deal With U.S.

Lush Cosmetics Calls For End To Safe Third Country Deal With U.S.
OTTAWA - Lush Cosmetics has launched a campaign calling on people to pressure the Canadian Parliament to back out of an agreement with the U.S. that governs refugee claims in both countries.    

Lush Cosmetics Calls For End To Safe Third Country Deal With U.S.

Manitoba Government Changes Course, Plans To Adopt Its Own Carbon Tax

WINNIPEG - Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government has changed course and has agreed to bring in its own carbon tax, but is cutting the provincial sales tax as well.    

Manitoba Government Changes Course, Plans To Adopt Its Own Carbon Tax

PM Justin Trudeau Warns Against 'Knee-Jerk' Reactions To COVID-19

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says knee-jerk reactions to the novel coronavirus will not keep people safe, as he defended Canada's decision not to close its borders to foreign nationals coming from regions where the outbreak is spreading.    

PM Justin Trudeau Warns Against 'Knee-Jerk' Reactions To COVID-19

Quebec Officials Say Man Presumed To Have Coronavirus Travelled To India

MONTREAL - Quebec public health officials say the province's second presumptive case of the new coronavirus involves a traveller returning to the province from India.

Quebec Officials Say Man Presumed To Have Coronavirus Travelled To India