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

You Are Invited To Participate In The First Ever Burnaby RCMP Youth Academy

The Youth Academy is a five-day experience intended to promote a career in law enforcement and takes place between June 29 and July 3, 2020.    

You Are Invited To Participate In The First Ever Burnaby RCMP Youth Academy

Soon-To-Be Newlyweds Win $500,000 Lotto Max Prize

Michele Zaharia and Mark Langton are celebrating their decision to say ‘Yes’ to the Extra — and each other — after winning $500,000 playing Lotto Max. 

Soon-To-Be Newlyweds Win $500,000 Lotto Max Prize

MISSING: Toronto Police Looking For 17-Year-Old Girl VANESSA SINGH-BUDHAI

Vanessa Singh-Budhai, 17, was last seen on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 9:30 a.m., in the Driftwood Avenue and Yewtree Boulevard area.

MISSING: Toronto Police Looking For 17-Year-Old Girl VANESSA SINGH-BUDHAI

RCMP Looking For This B.C. Woman Who Robbed A Dairy Queen With A Hammer & A Blanket

RCMP is releasing images of an unknown suspect captured on video surveillance, in an effort to further an investigation into a robbery of a local restaurant carried out Wednesday evening in Invermere.

RCMP Looking For This B.C. Woman Who Robbed A Dairy Queen With A Hammer & A Blanket

From My Family To Yours, I Wish You A Happy And Safe Family Day: John Horgan

Family Day is an opportunity to spend some extra time with loved ones – whether that means family or friends – to do fun activities together, relax and recharge.

From My Family To Yours, I Wish You A Happy And Safe Family Day: John Horgan

Surrey Police Hunting For South Asian ATM Robbery Suspect

On January 26, 2020, at 5:20 pm, Surrey RCMP received a report of a robbery at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) located in the 13600-block of 72 Avenue, in the Newton area.

Surrey Police Hunting For South Asian ATM Robbery Suspect