Friday, June 12, 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

How The B.C. Government Approached Land Rights After Major Court Ruling

B.C. Premier John Horgan raised his voice over jeers and fist-banging recently in question period after members of the Opposition Liberals criticized his government's handling of the clash between Wet'suwet'en hereditary clan chiefs and a pipeline company.

How The B.C. Government Approached Land Rights After Major Court Ruling

Hereditary Chiefs Say They'll Meet With Ministers If RCMP Get Out

A small, mobile RCMP detachment in a remote area of British Columbia has become a bargaining chip in proposed talks that many hope could put an end to blockades that have disrupted rail and road traffic across the country.

Hereditary Chiefs Say They'll Meet With Ministers If RCMP Get Out

Top Earners Pay More In B.C Budget That Includes Record Capital Spending

Top income earners and pop drinkers were hit with new taxes in Tuesday's B.C. budget, which continues the government's focus on capital spending for schools, hospitals and transit.

Top Earners Pay More In B.C Budget That Includes Record Capital Spending

Abbotsford Police Seeking Nigel Travis Bragg After Cruiser Rammed Head-On By Ford F-150

On January 23, 2020, while patrolling on Hillcrest Ave, officers recognized a dark Ford F-150 parked in a backyard. 

Abbotsford Police Seeking Nigel Travis Bragg After Cruiser Rammed Head-On By Ford F-150

VPD Releases Year-End Crime Stats For 2019: Number Of Homicides At A Five-Year Low

Vancouver Police today released crime statistics for 2019 that show a decrease in major violent crime like homicides, sexual offences, and bank robberies.

VPD Releases Year-End Crime Stats For 2019: Number Of Homicides At A Five-Year Low

Surrey RCMP Recover More Than $80,000 Worth Of Stolen Property

A large cache of stolen property has been recovered as a result of an investigation by the Surrey RCMP Property Crime Target Team (PCTT).

Surrey RCMP Recover More Than $80,000 Worth Of Stolen Property