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

HAVE YOU SEEN HER: Maple Ridge Woman Atefeh Jadidian Missing Since February 19

On February 19, 2019 Ms. Jadidian was last seen leaving her workplace at around 4:00 PM in the 22800 block area of Lougheed Highway.

HAVE YOU SEEN HER: Maple Ridge Woman Atefeh Jadidian Missing Since February 19

Calgary’s Lakhbir Singh Dhaliwal, Nasib Kaur Dhaliwal & Baltej Singh Dhaliwal Charged In Stolen Vehicle Insurance Fraud

Financial gain as a result of insurance payments and sales of the stolen vehicles is estimated to be more than $350,000. Police believe that at least eight vehicles were used to complete the frauds.

Calgary’s Lakhbir Singh Dhaliwal, Nasib Kaur Dhaliwal & Baltej Singh Dhaliwal Charged In Stolen Vehicle Insurance Fraud

Guns, Machetes, Smoke Grenades: Vancouver Police Seize Large Stash Of Weapons From A Tent At Oppenheimer Park

Vancouver police officers found the weapons Tuesday evening while responding to a 911 call about a domestic dispute in the park, police said in a news release Thursday.

Guns, Machetes, Smoke Grenades: Vancouver Police Seize Large Stash Of Weapons From A Tent At Oppenheimer Park

Trudeau To Meet Provincial, Territorial Leaders Amid Heightened Tensions

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will sit down with provincial and territorial leaders on March 13 to wrestle with some of the thorny issues that are dividing the nation.    

Trudeau To Meet Provincial, Territorial Leaders Amid Heightened Tensions

Canadian Veterinarians Struggling With Mental Health Issues, New Study Suggests

Canadian veterinarians are at greater risk of struggling with mental health-related issues than the general public, a recent study suggests.    

Canadian Veterinarians Struggling With Mental Health Issues, New Study Suggests

Beyak Suspended Again From Senate Despite Apology For Posting Offensive Letters

OTTAWA - The Senate has voted to suspend Sen. Lynn Beyak a second time over derogatory letters about Indigenous Peoples posted on her website.    

Beyak Suspended Again From Senate Despite Apology For Posting Offensive Letters