Thursday, June 18, 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

ICBC Apologizes For Saying Vancouver Island Mountie SARAH BECKETT Was Negligent When She Was Hit, Killed By Drunk Driver Jacob Fentont

Beckett, a 32-year-old mother of two boys, had recently returned from maternity leave when she was killed in the Victoria suburb of Langford in April 2016.  

ICBC Apologizes For Saying Vancouver Island Mountie SARAH BECKETT Was Negligent When She Was Hit, Killed By Drunk Driver Jacob Fentont

Surrey: Development Cost Charge Update Open House

Surrey: Development Cost Charge Update Open House
The City of Surrey is proposing a revised series of Development Cost Charges (DCCs). DCCs are levied on new development to help pay for:  

Surrey: Development Cost Charge Update Open House

Redesigned Grant Program To Boost Active Transportation

An expanded Active Transportation Grant Program is accepting proposals to build safer, more accessible and convenient active transportation infrastructure.    

Redesigned Grant Program To Boost Active Transportation

Cannabis Edibles, Extracts And Topicals Available Soon In B.C.

This begins the second phase of available products since legalization began in October 2018.

Cannabis Edibles, Extracts And Topicals Available Soon In B.C.

Province Delivering On New Affordable Rental Housing In Abbotsford

Province Delivering On New Affordable Rental Housing In Abbotsford
Ninety new rental townhomes are under construction in Abbotsford, providing more housing options for families.    

Province Delivering On New Affordable Rental Housing In Abbotsford

Community Gaming Grants Support Environmental Youth Programs

In a small plant nursery tucked away in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Marika Van Reeuwyk assists a dozen youth with planting the last of their big leaf lupine and springbank clover.

Community Gaming Grants Support Environmental Youth Programs